Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War M.C. and Bar group of four awarded to 2nd Lieutenant H. Pearce, Dorsetshire Regiment, late Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was commissioned for his leadership on the Somme, decorated for gallant deeds during the German Spring Offensive and final Allied advance in 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. H. Peacre); Defence Medal 1939-45, somewhat polished, particularly the second, but otherwise generally very fine (4) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals The Property of a Gentleman.

View
Collection

M.C. London Gazette 13 May 1918:

‘For consummate gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy raid at St. Eliele on 27 February 1918. This officer commanded a platoon in a locality which was surrounded by the enemy. By his total disregard of his own safety he encouraged his platoon and succeeded in driving the enemy away with rifle fire and bombs, inflicting several casualties upon them. He showed a magnificent standard of bravery, which was emulated by those around him.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 10 December 1919:

‘At Oisy-le-Verger on 27 September 1918, he displayed great courage and devotion to duty while leading a patrol. Under heavy fire he reconnoitred with his C.S.M., reached a bridge, and crawled out on the broken part and found a span of 20 feet was missing and then returned with his report, which was of the utmost importance.’

The following details appeared in a local newspaper obituary:

‘Harry Pearce, M.C. and Bar, died on 24 February 1987, aged 94 years. Born at Boconnoc on 14 June 1892, where his father was head keeper, it would be hard to find anybody who had led a fuller life. Harry joined the Royal Navy in 1908, serving in various armoured cruisers and, having completed his engagement in 1913, moved to Dublin where he worked as the groom to an Admiral. Immediately war broke out in 1914, he returned to Cornwall and enlisted in the D.C.L.I. He was posted to 1/5 D.C.L.I. and accompanied the Battalion to France in 1916, where he quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant. For his outstanding leadership during the battle of the Somme, he was commissioned and posted to 5/Dorsets.

He was awarded the M.C. and Bar at St. Eliele on 27 February 1918 and a Bar on 27 September at Oisy-le-Verger. By the end of the War he was acting as a Company Commander.

He was discharged in 1919 and became a keeper at Pencarrow, a job that he was to hold for the next 20 years, when he retired as head keeper in 1939. He joined the Home Guard in 1940 and was an officer in the Wadebridge Company.

One of his great interests in his many sided life was cricket, which he played up to his 80th birthday, keeping wicket for the Pencarrow side for about half a century ... Harry had a very great pride in the D.C.L.I., and continued to support regimental events till the end; as recently as 1 June 1986, he took part in the Rough Tor Pilgrimage and Church Parade. A visit to Harry was an uplifting experience and one was always greeted with the innate courtesy of a true countryman. His humour, dignity and warm friendship will be sadly missed by his large circle of friends.’

In addition to the above career details it should be added that Pearce was evacuated back to the U.K. in a hospital ship in late November 1918. He was discharged in November 1919; sold with original Great War period printed M.C. citations and a file of related research, the latter including copy Cornwall Home Guard good service certificate, dated 20 July 1944.