Pearce, Leslie Trevelyan

126 Private Leslie Trevelyan Pearce - 16th Battalion & 44th Battalion AIF

Leslie Trevelyan Pearce was born in Blackwood Victoria in 1880.

He later moved to Western Australia and in 1910 married Edith May Parker in Claremont and they set up residence in 189 Swanbourne Street Fremantle. (Later renumbered to 31 Swanbourne St). Unfortunately their first child died in 1910 soon after birth, but two other children were soon born, Minnie in 1912 and Ivy in 1913. 

Les worked as an Ice Drawer at the Western Fresh Food Company in Perth.

On the 8th September 1914 Les enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force and was accepted as fit for service. The medical officer recorded Les's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 6 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 162lbs;

Chest measurement - 38-40 inches;

Complexion - Dark;

Eyes - Green;

Hair - Dark Brown.

Les was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was soon assigned to "C" Company of the 16th Infantry Battalion. The 16th Battalion trained in WA for the next few weeks but soon embarked from Fremantle for Victoria where they joined up with the rest of the 4th Infantry Brigade at Broadmeadows Camp.

On the 22nd December 1914 the 16th Battalion left Port Melbourne aboard the transport ship HMAT Ceramic and set sail for Egypt. After their arrival in Egypt the men began training and in April were shipped to Lemnos Island in preparation for the landing at Gallipoli.

The 16th Battalion landed at Gallipoli in the early evening of April 25th 1915. They were sent up to the area later known as Popes Hill to reinforce the line. On the 2nd May 1915 Les was wounded in the attack at Dead Mans Ridge with a bullet wound to the left shoulder.

He was evacuated back to the hospital ship and returned to Egypt where he was admitted to No.1 Australian General Hospital at Heliopolis. Les spent over two months in hospital here recovering and on the 18th July 1915 was transferred to the Australian and New Zealand Convalescent Hospital.

Due to his wound it was decided by medical authorities to return Les to Australia for an extended period. On the 28th July 1915 Les left Egypt aboard the HMAT Hororata and returned to Fremantle.

On his return, the family was now living at 43 Alma Street Fremantle. Les had been attached for duty to the 5th Military District guard while his health recovered.

Les's wound was progressing favourably and so in 1916 he was assigned to the 2nd Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF who were training at Claremont Camp. (pictured below prior to their embarkation)

This group left Fremantle aboard the HMAT Miltiades on the 9th August 1916. After the long sea voyage the men disembarked at Plymouth Harbour on the 25th September 1916. The whole of the 3rd Australian Division was then still training in England and on the 12th November 1916 Les was taken on strength of the 44th Battalion.

However, the 44th Battalion soon departed for France without Les, as he had become ill and had been sent to hospital. This stay was extended as he had developed mumps.

On his recovery Les was put on the permanent staff at the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington Camp. It appears that Les's health wasn't improving and he had also dislocated his right knee so on the 27th May 1917 Les boarded a transport ship Ayrshire home for Australia. He arrived back in Fremantle on the 9th July 1917.

After his return the family moved to 58 Stirling Street Fremantle and Les had found employment as a storeman. In the 1930's the family moved to Bulwer Street North Perth and Les was employed as a Horse Driver.

Les died on the 18th September 1956 aged 74. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery plot Anglican ZM 0248