William Charles Pearce was born on the 11 December 1919, and came from Brentford in Middlesex. [1a]

He initially enlisted into The York and Lancaster Regiment on the 15 March 1940, and was sent to the 304th Infantry Training Centre to carry out his basic training.

Upon completion of his basic training he was then transferred to the 7th Bn, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers on the 12 June 1940. He then joined the Reconnaissance Corps on the 22 January 1941, where he qualified as a Driver i/c with the 15th Recce Battalion, on the 1 September 1941. [1b]

From the 14 July 1942 he served in the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, which sailed to North Africa at the end of February 1943. He saw action in Tunisia from March to May 1943. He returned to England aboard the SS. Strathmore, sailing on the 25 September, and docked in the United Kingdom on the 8 October 1943, and soon after he volunteered for Airborne Forces. He was officially posted to the Army Air Corps (The Parachute Regiment) on the 22 October 1943. [1b]

After completing the selection process at Hardwick Hall, he did Parachute Course 93 at RAF. Ringway. This course ran between 29 November to 13 December 1943. His Parachute Instructors comments: ‘Good jumper, confident, quick to learn’. [3]

William successfully completed this course and  was posted to the 11th Parachute Battalion, where he was assigned to the Motor Transport Section.

On Monday, 18 September 1944, he took off from RAF. Keevil in a Horsa glider (C/N’s: 1017 to 1023) bound for LZ. ‘X’ near Renkum in Holland as part of Operation ‘Market-Garden’. These gliders contained 10th and 11th Parachute Battalion Jeeps, 4th Para Sqn RE - equipment, det 261 Field Coy RE, 6 LAD, REME. 

He was wounded, almost immediately after landing by shrapnel to his right hand [4], left thigh and ribs, as well as various cuts about his face. It is likely that he was left behind on the LZ. area, and later picked up by SS troops.

Taken prisoner, he was sent to Stalag 11B, at Falingbostel in Germany, and given the POW No. 117233. William arrived there on the 28 September, and was immediately admitted to the Camp Hospital, due to the wound in his left thigh. [1b]

He was liberated by advancing elements of the British Army on the 16 April 1945, and arrived back in England on the 27 April.

He was officially transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps on the 1 August 1945, and whilst he was carrying out driving duties, as part of the 83rd Company (CMT), RASC at Kensington Barracks, he had to report sick, and was admitted to Hounslow Hospital on the 20 February 1946, due to the shrapnel wounds in his ribs. He was treated there for a month. [1b]

He was released to the Class ‘Z’ (T) Reserves on the 2 August 1946. [1b]

NOTES:

[1a] POW questionnaire. 22 April 1945.

[1b] Service Records.

[2] The Parachute Regiment, Transfer & Enlistment Book 16, page 23.

[3] Parachute Course Report. RAF. Ringway.

[4] RSM. Lord. List of wounded Stalag 11B.

Written and researched by Robert Hilton