Killed in action 25 Apr 1915 Gallipoli.
Aged 30, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Pearce of Bendigo. Known as “Joe”, he played 152 games for Melbourne Football Club from 1904 to 1913. scoring 5 goals. His position was full-back. He represented Victoria at 1908 Carnival. Always played as a strict amateur, refusing even to accept out of pocket expenses. Played cricket for Coburg and for MCC Club Elevens. Also played lacrosse and tennis. Employee of AMP Society. Heavily involved in the life of Holy Trinity Church, East Melbourne: Church Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, Secretary of Church of England Mens Society, member of the Choir.
According to his sister, Pearce was the eighth person to enlist at Essendon on 17 Aug 1914.
He joined the 7th Battalion AIF and was promoted to Corporal on 6 Apr 1915.
Pearce was killed on 25 Apr 1915 while landing at Gabe Tepe.
"While making for Fisherman's Hut in a boat together with witness and under command of Lt Scanlon to take part in the landing on 25 April, Pearce was killed by machine gun or rifle fire. He was buried with 30 or 40 others on the beach."
According to Professor Geoffrey Blainey, Pearce was the first VFL footballler to die at Gallipoli. There is a plaque in his honour at Holy Trinity, East Melbourne.
He is commemorated at the No 2 Outpost Cemetery on the east side of the Anzac-Suvla Road along with 22 of his mates from the 7th Battalion who were also killed at the landings.
Geoffrey Blainey: Speech at Holy Trinity Church, East Melbourne, 13 Mar 2013.