Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Gunner F. O. O. Pearce, Royal Marine Brigade, who was a veteran of the defence of Antwerp, August 1914

1914 Star (R.M.A. 10564. Gunner F. O. O. Pearce, R.M. Brigade.); British War and Victory Medals (R.M.A. 10564 Gr. F. O. O. Pearce.) ‘R’ impressed after surname on BWM; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (R.M.A. 10564 (B. 1218) F. O. O. Pearce. Gr. R.F.R.) generally very fine or better (4) £80-£120

Frederick Oliver Overton Pearce was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire in May 1884. He attested for the Royal Marines in September 1903, and was posted as a Private to ‘Q’ Company. Pearce was subsequently rated as Gunner 1st Class in the Royal Marine Artillery, and was eventually discharged by purchase in October 1912. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 27 October 1912, and on 2 August 1914 was mobilised for service.

Pearce sailed for Ostend with the Royal Marine Brigade on 27 August 1914, and served during the defence of Antwerp. Having returned to the UK, he then served the remainder of the war in the UK. Pearce was demobilised in February 1919 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in January 1923). His home address on demobilisation was given as the ‘Brodway Arms’, Horndean, Hampshire. Pearce died in Droxford, Hampshire in 1972.