Born at Newcastle NSW, Wesleyan. Enlisted 18 May 1915 age 23, blacksmith and farrier. His father, John Pearse of Brookman St, Perth is given as Nok and when he died later that year, his widow, Jessie Pearse, is recorded at Congdon St, Cottesloe. John Pearse, after further training in Sth Aust., embarked at Adelaide 18 November 1915 per A2 Geelong. He was killed in action 19th July 1916 during the ill-planned and disastrous Battle of Fromelles. Buried in Eaton Hall Cemetery 2.75 miles east of Daventie and 4.5 miles SSW of Armentieres. Service by Rev. F.G. Ward. Current AWM details are: Cemetery Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune nord pas de Calais, France. Service medals: 1914-1915 Star, BWM and VM.
