Duelling with The Red Baron
Manfred von Richthofen was a German fighter pilot known as the "Red Baron" and was the most successful flying ace of World War I, being officially credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories and in all probability one former pupil opposed him in the skies over the Western Front.
Sydney Pearce is the name on the School War Memorial and initial research using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website proved inconclusive. However, assuming that our Sydney Pearce is actually Edward Sydney Charles Pearce then research becomes much more rewarding.
Ann Rowett married Charles Pearce in the late spring or early summer of 1896 in St Austell. Times were difficult in Cornwall and the young couple took part in the ‘great migration’ moving to South Africa. Indeed, in the Transvaal, at the end of the nineteenth century, an estimated 25% of the white workforce was Cornish.
Mining proved lucrative for Charles and he rose to the position of a mine manager. In 1899, they had a son; but unfortunately, registration of births, deaths and marriages there was not compulsory until 1901 so the precise date of the birth cannot be found.
Perhaps because of the Boer War the Pearces returned to St Austell and ESC was probably amongst the first cohort of pupils attending the new school. However, during those early controversial years he did not stay for long because in January 1911
PEARCE, Edward Sydney Charles, age 12.4yrs, son of Charles PEARCE, retired mine manager, and Anne PEARCE, of Westbourne Villa, Truro Road, St. Austell, registered for Blundell’s School, Tiverton.
He remained a pupil there until the summer of 1916.
Sadly, by the time of the 1911 census Charles Pearce had died leaving Ann a widow at 36.
On leaving Blundell’s School the teenager joined the Royal Flying Corps and eventually became a member of No. 57 Squadron RAF which had been formed on 8 June 1916 at Copmanthorpe.
In December 1916 the squadron was posted to France. By May 1917 the squadron was equipped with Airco DH4s, a two-seat biplane designed by de Havilland and commenced long range bombing and reconnaissance operations near Ypres.
Either as a pilot or observer 2nd Lieutenant Pearce regularly flew A2161 which was equipped with one 0.303 Vickers machine gun for the observer. Two 230 lb bombs or four 112 lb bombs could also be carried.
With aircraft in short supply A2161 was also flown by others. Lieut. (A./Capt.) William Edward Green had two of his eight victories in A2161. Incredibly enough on 24th January 1918 he and observer 2/Lt HS Gros claimed a Fokker Triplane in flames and an Albatross out of control at 11.30 am.
By the end of the year Green was awarded the DFC.
A skilful, courageous Pilot and a brilliant leader, conspicuous for his sound judgment. No difficulties daunt him, and he has never failed to carry out any task that he may have been set. He sets a splendid example to the whole squadron.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14321)
Although from the autumn of 1916, it was the revered von Richthofen who was the ace of aces, leading his unit “The Flying Circus” over the Western Front. He though admired the British, describing them as "those daring fellows", and considering the airborne fighting as something precious and unique, "the last vestige of knightly individual combat".
It is known that von Richthofen was active late March 1918 but he did not claim Pearce who failed to return from a raid on 31st March 1918 (quite possibly with 2nd Lt C B Coleman who also regularly flew A2161).
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
THE following casualties in the Royal Air Force are announced:
Missing.
2nd Lieut. E. Betley, R.G.A. (S.R.), attd. R.A.F.
2nd Lieut. C. B. Coleman, Oxf. and Bucks L.I., attd. R.A.F,
Lieut. W. C. F. N. Hart, R. Lanes. Regt., attd. R.A.F.
2nd Lieut. B. McPherson, Gen. List and R.A.F.
2nd Lieut. E. S. C. Pearce, Gen. List and R.A.F.
(Extract from “The Flight” 2nd May 1918)
As well as the Holy Trinity and School Memorials ESC Pearce is also acknowledged on the Arras Flying Services Memorial and the War Memorial at Blundell’s School, Tiverton.
Footnote 1: Three weeks after Pearce was declared missing The Red Baron himself was fatally shot down over the Western Front (21 April 1918)
Footnote 2: Discovering that Mrs Pearce’s maiden name was Rowett needed a spot of luck. In the 1911 census Anne Pearce (aged 36) lived with her auntie Ann Fox (54) and tracing back to the 1899 census Ann Fox (34) lived with her niece Annie Rowett (16). A trawl through the St Austell marriage records was rewarded with the discovery of a marriage between Anne Rowett and Charles Pearce in 1896.
A note to would be historians: I might be wrong! A two year old Sydney Pearce was included on the 1901 census. His address was: Tregavissey, St Austell and he lived with his married mother, 24 year old Ellen and three year old brother Burchall. There was no trace of them in the 1911 census.
However, ESC Pearce is the only Sydney Pearce on the 1911 census living in St Austell. Tellingly, The Roll of Honour in the school magazine lists Sydney in the RAF whilst the Holy Trinity War memorial records ESC Pearce but no other Pearce. Consequently, the assumption that Sydney and ESC Pearce are one of the same seems logical.
Special Thanks to Mike Sampson, Archivist, Blundell's School for his invaluable assistance.
Sydney Pearce is the name on the School War Memorial and initial research using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website proved inconclusive. However, assuming that our Sydney Pearce is actually Edward Sydney Charles Pearce then research becomes much more rewarding.
Ann Rowett married Charles Pearce in the late spring or early summer of 1896 in St Austell. Times were difficult in Cornwall and the young couple took part in the ‘great migration’ moving to South Africa. Indeed, in the Transvaal, at the end of the nineteenth century, an estimated 25% of the white workforce was Cornish.
Mining proved lucrative for Charles and he rose to the position of a mine manager. In 1899, they had a son; but unfortunately, registration of births, deaths and marriages there was not compulsory until 1901 so the precise date of the birth cannot be found.
Perhaps because of the Boer War the Pearces returned to St Austell and ESC was probably amongst the first cohort of pupils attending the new school. However, during those early controversial years he did not stay for long because in January 1911
PEARCE, Edward Sydney Charles, age 12.4yrs, son of Charles PEARCE, retired mine manager, and Anne PEARCE, of Westbourne Villa, Truro Road, St. Austell, registered for Blundell’s School, Tiverton.
He remained a pupil there until the summer of 1916.
Sadly, by the time of the 1911 census Charles Pearce had died leaving Ann a widow at 36.
On leaving Blundell’s School the teenager joined the Royal Flying Corps and eventually became a member of No. 57 Squadron RAF which had been formed on 8 June 1916 at Copmanthorpe.
In December 1916 the squadron was posted to France. By May 1917 the squadron was equipped with Airco DH4s, a two-seat biplane designed by de Havilland and commenced long range bombing and reconnaissance operations near Ypres.
Either as a pilot or observer 2nd Lieutenant Pearce regularly flew A2161 which was equipped with one 0.303 Vickers machine gun for the observer. Two 230 lb bombs or four 112 lb bombs could also be carried.
With aircraft in short supply A2161 was also flown by others. Lieut. (A./Capt.) William Edward Green had two of his eight victories in A2161. Incredibly enough on 24th January 1918 he and observer 2/Lt HS Gros claimed a Fokker Triplane in flames and an Albatross out of control at 11.30 am.
By the end of the year Green was awarded the DFC.
A skilful, courageous Pilot and a brilliant leader, conspicuous for his sound judgment. No difficulties daunt him, and he has never failed to carry out any task that he may have been set. He sets a splendid example to the whole squadron.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14321)
Although from the autumn of 1916, it was the revered von Richthofen who was the ace of aces, leading his unit “The Flying Circus” over the Western Front. He though admired the British, describing them as "those daring fellows", and considering the airborne fighting as something precious and unique, "the last vestige of knightly individual combat".
It is known that von Richthofen was active late March 1918 but he did not claim Pearce who failed to return from a raid on 31st March 1918 (quite possibly with 2nd Lt C B Coleman who also regularly flew A2161).
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
THE following casualties in the Royal Air Force are announced:
Missing.
2nd Lieut. E. Betley, R.G.A. (S.R.), attd. R.A.F.
2nd Lieut. C. B. Coleman, Oxf. and Bucks L.I., attd. R.A.F,
Lieut. W. C. F. N. Hart, R. Lanes. Regt., attd. R.A.F.
2nd Lieut. B. McPherson, Gen. List and R.A.F.
2nd Lieut. E. S. C. Pearce, Gen. List and R.A.F.
(Extract from “The Flight” 2nd May 1918)
As well as the Holy Trinity and School Memorials ESC Pearce is also acknowledged on the Arras Flying Services Memorial and the War Memorial at Blundell’s School, Tiverton.
Footnote 1: Three weeks after Pearce was declared missing The Red Baron himself was fatally shot down over the Western Front (21 April 1918)
Footnote 2: Discovering that Mrs Pearce’s maiden name was Rowett needed a spot of luck. In the 1911 census Anne Pearce (aged 36) lived with her auntie Ann Fox (54) and tracing back to the 1899 census Ann Fox (34) lived with her niece Annie Rowett (16). A trawl through the St Austell marriage records was rewarded with the discovery of a marriage between Anne Rowett and Charles Pearce in 1896.
A note to would be historians: I might be wrong! A two year old Sydney Pearce was included on the 1901 census. His address was: Tregavissey, St Austell and he lived with his married mother, 24 year old Ellen and three year old brother Burchall. There was no trace of them in the 1911 census.
However, ESC Pearce is the only Sydney Pearce on the 1911 census living in St Austell. Tellingly, The Roll of Honour in the school magazine lists Sydney in the RAF whilst the Holy Trinity War memorial records ESC Pearce but no other Pearce. Consequently, the assumption that Sydney and ESC Pearce are one of the same seems logical.
Special Thanks to Mike Sampson, Archivist, Blundell's School for his invaluable assistance.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920