Pearce, Lawrence Ormsby

Date of birth:: (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Service number:: 189007
Nationality:: South African (1910-1961, Union)

Biography

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards, 254th Indian Tank Brigade, IV Corps, Fourteenth Army, British Indian Army
Awarded on:: July 25th, 1944

Recommendation:
"This Officer was in command of a troop in operations against Ningthunkhong on April 25th 1944. Soon after the action started, his tank was penetrated by an anti-tank gun, the driver was seriously wounded, and the wireless set and intercommunication destroyed, thus rendering the tank unbattleworthy. Lieut. Pearce at once collected the only spare tank, which was already damaged, and whose turret was jammed, thus making it virtually defenceless at close quarters. He returned to his troop, which he commanded with great coolness and skill for 2 hours, while in close proximity to the enemy, who were concealed in the village. As a result of his efforts his troop knocked out two anti-tank guns, an unidentified vehicle, and two bunker positions, thus enabling the Infantry to reach the first part of their objective with negligible casualties, and at the same time, capture important documents. Later, when a withdrawal was ordered, he waited until all the Infantry and their wounded had gone back, though he could only use his guns in one direction. This Officer also displayed similar qualities of skill and coolness when leading his troop against a Japanese position at MS.18 on the Imphal-Ukhrul Rd. On this occasion he had to make a difficult and practically unreconnoitred climb to reach the position, where he successfully silenced all enemy fire. Throughout the present operations, he has shown himself to be an outstanding leader."

He was recommended for the award by Lieutenant Colonel R. Younger, M.C., Commanding the 3rd Carabiniers, on May 1, 1944, with subsequent recommendations coming from Brigadier Commander of 254 Indian Tank Brigade, on May 9th and from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Fourteenth Army, on May 15th, with the final approval coming from the Commander-in-Chief of 11 Army Group, on May 25th.