Note that there is a Perry, Walter: Service no. 157659. They probably joined together and were friends. Sometimes concurrent regimental numbers indicated such a relationship.
PTE. J.T. PEARCE DIED OF WOUNDS
Pte. J.T. Pearce, who was recently reported to have died of wounds enlisted for overseas service about a year ago. After receiving his preparatory military training in Toronto during the winter he was sent overseas in April with the 81st Battalion. He was later drafted to another unit and set to France in July. According to the casualty lists his relatives live at 10 Fuller avenue.
Source: Toronto Star. November 3 1916.
Soldier: Private James Thomas Pearce, reg. no. 157658
Status of Digital Service Record: Not available as of July 8, 2016.
Biography
Private J.T. Pearce joined the 81st Battalion at Toronto, Ontario on September 17, 1915. He subsequently was transported to England and then to the Continent where he joined the 18th Battalion. He was 26 years and 6 months old when he attested in Toronto and was married to Amy Pearce. They lived at 10 Fuller Avenue in Toronto.
A Toronto Star news item dated November 3, 1916 states: “Pte. J.T. Pearce, who was recently reported to have died of wounds enlisted for overseas service about a year ago. After receiving his preparatory military training in Toronto during the winter he was sent overseas in April with the 81st Battalion. He was later drafted to another unit and set to France in July. According to the casualty lists his relatives live at 10 Fuller avenue.”
He is buried in the Bois Guillaume Communal Cemetery, Seine-et-Marne, France at grave reference I.C. 9A. The inscription on his headstone reads: Gone But Not Forgotten and was commissioned by his wife, Mrs. Amy Pearce residing at R.R. 1, Islington, Ontario, Canada.
The cemetery information tells that a portion of the burials in this cemetery are from those soldiers who died of wounds at the No. 8 General Hospital, which was housed in a large private house and grounds. The cemetery is north-east of the Rouen city center. The hospital is far from the location of the battalion during September 1916 and this indicates that Private Pearce wounds were serious enough for hospital treatment. Perhaps so serious that he could not be moved to England.
Significant Dates
| Event | Date |
| Enlisted | 09/17/15 |
| Embarked to England | 04/28/16 |
| Arrived England | Unknown |
| T.O.S. 18th Battalion | Unknown |
| Death | 09/21/1916 – “Died of Wounds.” (Gun shot wounds, Left Hand and Leg.) At No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen. |
Summary of Attestation Papers.
| James Thomas Pearce | |
| Service No. | 157658 |
| Unit | 81st Bn. then transferred to the 18th |
| D.O.B. | February 4, 1889. |
| Born | Kensington, London, England |
| Address at Enlistment | |
| Name of Next of Kin | Mrs. Amy Pearce of 10 Fuller Avenue, Toronto, Ontario |
| Relation | Wife |
| Trade | Fireman[i] |
| Marital Status | Yes |
| Military Experience | No |
| Apparent Age | 26 years, 6 months |
| Height | 5’10” |
| Chest Measurement | 37.5” |
| Chest Expansion | 2.5” |
| Complexion | Dark |
| Eyes | Grey |
| Hair | Black |
| Distinctive Marks | Mole under right shoulder at back. Scar above left buttock. |
| Religious Denom. | Church of England |
| Sight | NA |
| Hearing | NA |
| Attested | Toronto, Ontario |
| Date | September 17, 1915. |
| Remarks |
Sources
LAC Page referencing RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7824 – 23 Item Number: 576976
Canadian Great War Project Page
Canadian Virtual War Memorial Page
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Page
[i] It is not clear if this refers to a locomotive fireman or the fire fighting profession.
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 