Ernest N Peirce enlisted in 1939  as Trooper Peirce, 48 Bn, Royal Tank Regiment  (8th Army, North Africa and Italy) 1939-44.

He then volunteered for the airborne forces and was attached B Coy of  the the 5th Parachute Battalion. In August 1944 Ernest took part  in Op Dragoon and flew out on aircraft number 57 and was dropped around the Le Muy area of Southern France. During the action, he was captured and imprisoned in Oflag X11B, POW number 591.

After the War he worked in various positions including MI 11 and Special Branch of several Colonial Police Forces. 

Whilst serving in Cyprus he lost an eye during an EOKA assasination attempt.