Topic: BatzO - Emptsa
Emptsa
North Russia, 29 August 1919
The Times, 24 October 1919
The account is transcribed below.
The Times, 24 October 1919, p. 9.
A NORTH RUSSIA V.C.
SINGLE-HANDED ATTACK ON A BLOCKHOUSE.
War Office, Oct: 23, 1919.
The King has beep pleased to :approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the following non-commissioned officer:
The late 133002 Sergeant Samuel George Pearce, M.M., 45th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Mildura, Australia).
For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice during the operation against the enemy battery position north of Emptsa (North Russia) on August 29, 1919.
Sergeant Pearse cut his way through the enemy barbed wire under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire and cleared a way for the troops to enter the battery position.
Seeing that a blockhouse was harassing our advance and causing us casualties, he charged the blockhouse single-handed; killing the occupants with bombs.
This gallant non-commissioned officer met his death a minute later, and it was due to him that the position was carried with so few casualties. His magnificent bravery and utter disregard for personal danger won for him the admiration of all troops.
(London Gazette Supplement, Oct. 23.)
Regimental number | 2870 |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Trapper |
Address | Exchange, Koorlong, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 18 |
Next of kin | Father, G S Pearce, Exchange, Koorlong, Victoria |
Enlistment date | 5 July 1915 |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 7th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/24/3 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 10 September 1915
|
Fate | Killed in Action Battle of Emptsa, 29 August 1919 |
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The grave of Samuel George Pearce at Obozerskiy, Russia. | |
Medals | Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 - Date: 7 March 1918 Victoria Cross London Gazette Supplement, 23 October 1919 British War Medal Victory Medal |
Further Reading:
North Russian Campaign, Contents
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Emptsa, North Russia, The Times, 24 October 1919