A 32ND FOOT 7 CLASP MGS 1793 TO AN NCO WHO SERVED THROUGHOUT THE PENINSULAR WAR, FROM ROLEIA TO ORTHEZ DURING WHICH HE WAS WOUNDED AT LEAST ONCE

MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793, 7 CLASPS, ROLEIA, VIMIERA, SALAMANCA, PYRENEES, NIVELLE, NIVE, ORTHES ‘J. PEARCE, CORPL. 32ND FOOT’

James Pearce was born in Warminster in 1781 and enlisted into the 32nd Foot on 29 April 1807. He served with the 1/32nd at Copenhagen later that year, where the battalion served as marines. In August 1808, he landed with his battalion in Portugal and took part in the battles of Roleia and Vimiera. He also took part in the retreat to Corunna but did not apply for the clasp for his medal, despite the fact that 129 men from his regiment did. Serving in the Walcheren the taking of Flushing in August 1809, Pearce next served with his battalion in the Peninsular from July 1811. During his service in this theatre, he took part in the battles of Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive and Orthes, additionally at the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (no clasp entitlement), siege and retreat from Burgos. Pearce was admitted as a Chelsea out pensioner on 13 May 1851 and in August 1857 as an in pensioner when he noted his battles served and that he had suffered a ‘Gunshot wound to bowel causing body deformation’. James Pearce died as pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Pensioner in May 1867. He was 86 years old.

This medal was sold at DNW in 2016 where their seemed to be some confusion with another Corporal Eaton of the 32nd who served at Waterloo. Subsequent research proves these were two different men. The MGS Pearce having been discharged from the Army in on 3 November 1814. Additionally, when he applied to become a out pensioner in 1857, he noted his wound and all the battles that are on his medal but not Waterloo.

Condition VF, Suspension rod and possible pin refitted, claw untouched. EK at 6 O’clock and some minor edge bruising and wear; hardly surprising as this man was a Chelsea Pensioner for some years. Sold with copied service and research on CD. Ex DNW 2016. Despite a few condition issues, this a very good medal to a soldier with an excellent service.

James Pearce

32nd Foot, 7th Company

1781 James born Warminster, Wiltshire, by Census and death record, but 1784 by the In Pensioner Board. Map 1773

1806 1/32nd Foot in Cork; Clonakilty. In Ireland since 1801.

1807 1/32nd in Bandon, Cork. Also Kinsale and Charlesfort 1

2/32nd in Launceston (there formed 1804); June – received colours; August – 280 men to 1/32 at Harwich; Weeley Barracks; December – 99 men to 1/32

History of 32nd p.561

SERVICE

29 Apr 1807 James enlisted for the 2nd Battalion of the 32nd Foot on 29 Apr 1807 and was 2paid a bounty of £9 and 9 shillings for joining, he was initially at the detachment at Bath under Captain Wallett.

18 May 1807 Joined the HQ of the 2nd Battalion at Worcester being put in Captain Toole’s Company. On limited engagement of service (7 years)

16 July 1/32 arrived Portsmouth

July 1807 James transfers to Captain John Crowe’s Company and is posted to join the 1st Battalion with effect 25/08/1807.

26/27 July James with 1/32nd and to Portsmouth, thence to Copenhagen . 3

1/32nd embarked Ramsgate on Peggy, Prince of Wales, Success and Retreat 4

30 July Vanguard of 25,000 men sail under General Lord Cathcart, 2nd Div LG Baird, 3rd Bde MG Spencer – 1/32nd, 1/50th and 1/82nd.

Early Aug During 1807 the 1st Battalion 32nd Regiment was used as Marines in the assault on Copenhagen, Captain Ross-Lewin proudly states: "My corps 5(32nd) was at this time a beautiful one, mustering one thousand strong, and did not leave a man behind, a very unusual circumstance with regiments."during the Battle the 32nd were on land assaulting the town as well as attached to various ships to be used as Marines in the storming of danish vessels.

7 Sep Danes capitulate. After fall 1/32nd did duty in the dockyard and received 241 from 2nd Bn, probably when James arrived to 1st Bn.

16 Sep 1807 James joins the 1st Battalion, he is initially in Captain Jerrard’s Company and for the first quarter is mistakenly shown as ‘John Pearce No.2’. This mistake

Image 8078 of WO 12/47982

Per Candidates for In-pension Board3

History of 32nd p.564

He is critical of some soldiers behaviour after the 29th Aug victory near Kioge, looting and 5disrespect.

in naming was not corrected until the October-November muster. The Battalion was at this time on operations at Zeeland with the men being used as marines on board captured Danish ships.

21 Oct British fleet depart. The Battalion sailed from Copenhagen in late October 1807 and landed at Gosport on 7 Nov 1807.

November 32nd on Ganges and prize Princess Sophia Frederica to Deal then to Gosport; received draft of 99 men from 2/32;

December Ordered on secret expedition 17 days of gales back to Portsmouth then Falmouth

1808:

1 Mar 1808 At Falmouth til this date then sailed,

The Battalion sends two groups on 19 Mar 1808 (for Gibraltar) and 24 Mar 1808 for passage to Sicily – the note next to James’ name states ‘Mediterranean’ which suggests he was at one of these places. The wing from Gibraltar left on 13 May 1808 and returned to Gosport, the wing from Sicily left that place on 7 Apr 1808, also to return to Gosport. Captain Toole takes over command of Jerrard’s Company from March 1808 (for some reason James is missing from this muster) but returns for the following quarter.

9 June Arr Gibraltar; part of Regt and headquarters to Sicily; Cadiz;

12 June To mouth of Guadiana River. Regt in Cadiz on day Spanish Revolution broke out, disembarked at Fort Mary, there about 6 weeks

July To Portugal, Spencers Division, 4th Bde under MG Bowes 6th and 32nd

7 Aug Landed Mondego Bay

11 Aug Leira

15 Aug Skirmish Obidos

17 Aug Battle of Roleia (32nd 77 bars)

500 British killed wounded captured, 29th Foot major losses

18 Aug to Lourinha

19 Aug at Vimiera “short queues cropped” to delight of all

21 Aug Battle of Vimiera (32nd 109 bars)

Bowes in rear of village – on a sugar loaf hill, French under Junot. Armistice at the end of the battle, Convention of Contra

8 Oct Hopes (2) Division, MG Hill Bde, 5th 32nd 91st

26 Oct Moore commenced march from Lisbon to Spanish frontier

28 Nov Moore ordered general retreat

1 Dec Reorg Hill Bde now 2nd 5th and 32nd

20 Dec Reorg Hill Bde now 1st 2nd 5th 14th and 32nd

21 Dec 29,000 British force HQ at Toro

23 Dec Moore advanced with whole army, retreat thro Portugal impractical so thru Galicia

26 Dec Bridge of Benevente crossed.

1809:

5 Jan Reached Lugo. During retreat 32nd mainly employed escorting ammunition and stores The unit was involved in the retreat to Corunna where they were 6tasked with guarding the ammunition train

9 Jan Resumed march thru Bentanzos 11th, huge losses

In the battle itself in 16/01/1809 they lost 250 men, the survivors boarding ships the following day for passage back to England.

16 Jan Embarked at Corunna. 32nd engaged with other Regts and 2 Bdes of RA. Napier killed and Moore wounded. 7

Note: 32nd received 129 Corunna bars, James appears not to have applied for one but stated he was at Corunna at the In-Pensioner board in Aug 1857.

27/02/1809 – Battalion lands at Portsmouth and marches to Horsham over a 6 day period, the unit being only 350 men strong at that date. James (now shown as #2 as they

History of 32nd p.696

History of 32nd p.707

have moved away from Company musters) is in No.7 Company under Captain

Toole. re-equipped 680 rank and file

25/06/1809 – James is stated as being in hospital at that date. 8

Possible wounded Corunna as in hospital (not noted as sick) in June 1809 4 months after Corunna 8and may explain why did not get bar?

WALCHEREN

Great Chatham, with his sabre drawn, Stood waiting for Sir Richard Strachan;

Sir Richard, longing to be at 'em, Stood waiting for the Earl of Chatham

16/07/1809 Battalion embarks at Portsmouth and sails for the Walcheren campaign, landing on 30/07/1809, they were present at the siege of Flushing, the town falling on 15/08/1809.

to Walcheren, landed 10 miles from Flushing Ter Veere, Middlebury

The 32nd was much engaged and behaved with distinguished spirit Sir 9Eyre Coote “When the 32nd was on the advanced posts he could sleep sound”

After fall of Flushing 32nd advanced towards Antwerp anchoring 10 miles away then retired. All up 4 killed 21 wounded.

7 Sep Walcheren – 32nd Rank and file – fit for duty 366, sick 192

9 December Stayed until this time as garrison in Middleburg

31/12/1809 The 32nd Foot lands at Portsmouth, the strength of the Battalion having dropped to 274 men due to sickness and they marched to Hailsham by 05/01/1810. 


History of 32nd p.729

1810:

January Portsmouth; marched to Hailsham; 200 R and F, received draft from 2/32 in Cork;

February 1810 – James is on furlough at the end of the month

July Ordered to Bexhill;, Nut Barracks

12August Grand Review of 13,000 men at Brighton Down before Prince of Wales;

29/08/1810 – Battalion marches from Bexhill to Portsmouth, arriving there on 04/09/1810

8 September Arrived Guernsey, for health

1811:

21-22/06/1811 – Battalion embarks for service in Portugal, landing at Lisbon on 05/07/1811, the ships being called ‘Dartmouth’, ‘Duke of Richmond’ & ‘Clarendon’.

24 June Guernsey to Portugal; 600 R and F

5 July Arrival Lisbon to Castle of Lisbon, 300 from 2/32

19 July Equipped and embarked boats on Tagus to Villada near Santarem. 10

Aug Marched to Burns Bde, 6th Division, at Nave-d’Aver 11

17 Aug Village of Barquilla (miserable) near Ciudad Rodrigo and then to Villa de Porco

29 Aug 32nd occupied Chiras

Mid July Wellington moved his HQ to Almeida10

1st week of Aug Wellington moved his 7 Div to their respective cantonments for action on River 11Aqueda

24 Sep Action at Guinaldo but 6 Div not engaged

24 Oct 32nd marched to Galligos

2 Dec 5th and 6th Div left Chiras towards Douro and Mondego

32nd arr Musquetilla

6 Dec 1811 James is promoted to Corporal

1812:

14-19 Jan 32nd occupied making fascines and gabions for siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (32nd 1 bar) which began 14th

21 Jan 1812 32nd to Marialva, Alentigo, Guarda, Alpedrinja

29 Jan Castello Branco, Villa Velha, crossed Tagus to right bank and after 14 days march entered Estremos

1 Feb 6th Div in cantonments til this day, fell back 32nd to Nave d’Aver,

15 Mar 32nd camped at Elvas

16 Mar Graham with 6th Div and others crossed below Badajoz to Santa Martha in rain

17 Mar Through Albuhera and bones of those from 2 yrs previous 6 May 1810

6 Div covered troops on siege of Badajoz (Beresford) watching for Soults Army

25 Mar 6th Div to Llerena.

16 April 6th Div to Portalegre, Castello Branco, Escaldos de Cima

Recrossed Tagus to Alentejo, Azume received 163 men from 2/32;

12 May Aronches and others finally

3 June Castello Branco

June 1812 James is in the Regimental Hospital at the time of the June muster.

SALAMANCA

17 Jun Neighbourhood of Salamanca reached. In evening 32nd sent party to break ground before convent of San Vicente. Proved a bad spot and was covered by French. Wellington visited position.

Siege of forts San Vicente, St Cajetano, and La Mercet 18-24 June 32nd lost R and F 10 killed 28 WIA. MG Bowes killed.

27 Jun After breach of forts garrison surrendered and they were blown up. 6 Div lost 500 casulaties in 10 days they were held up, now marched to join army.

29 Jun Wellington marched towards the Douro and enemy fell back

15 Jul Main body to Villa Pena 30 km from Salamanca. Marmont fell back having failed to relieve Salamanca, fortnights rest

Manoeuvres and face to face on Tormes, 6 Div crossed, thunderstorms and wild night.

22 July Battle of Salamanca (32nd 197 bars)

Daybreak troops moved into positions. French commenced serious cannonade, 6 Div halted in column of companies. 6 Div reserve. 4th and 5th supported by 6th and 7th advanced. Success in centre and left completed by 6th who took the greater Arapiles

1930 when 6th Div under Clinton to advance 2nd time to attack enemy in front. Advance on clear slope, French on craggy ridge firing 4 or 5 deep, approached to 200 yds before musketry began, very heavy, constant grape – fired from charging position, first volley 80 of 32nd fell to rear wounded, charged with bayonet enemy fell to rear.

32nd recovered their drum that had been lost on retreat to Corunna

32nd total 17 KIA, 120 WIA

Some information about their role at Salamanca from the book “With the Thirty Second in the Peninsular” by Major Ross-Lewin;

“At eight in the evening we began to make our approaches, breaking ground before the convent of San Vicente; and I had the first working party of my corps. We covered ourselves in the course of the night without much loss, although the French had destroyed several fine building to give a more extensive range to their fire; at one time they even had it in contemplation to blow up the superb cathedral.

Our first batteries were soon found to be ill-placed, the ground was too low, and the men were not sufficiently covered. We lost in consequence, some valuable Artillerymen and Soldiers of different corps.

On the 23rd another Battery, erected on higher ground, was completed and armed, but the fire from it was not very well directed. The battery bore on one of the flank defences a palisadoed work, and Lord Wellington seemed to feel much anxiety with respect to the probability of its answering his purpose. Before it opened, I observed, during the day, that a four pound shot frequently came in at one of the angles. and some time after I perceived Lord Wellington viewing the enemy’s works from it, and resting his glass on the above-mentioned angle; but I immediately warned him of the shot, and he changed his position. Colonel Dickson, who joined him in the course of two or three minutes, also walked up to the angle, when his lordship hastily called him away, repeating the caution that I had given. I saw another shot pass over the same spot not long after, and it might have deprived our army of its able commander had he not been appraised of his danger.

In the evening of the 23rd, a flag of truce came out, but the proposals made by the besieged were rejected, and at 8 o’clock the firing recommenced. This night it was determined to storm the enemy’s works. The storming parties consisted of the light companies of the Queen’s, the 32nd and the 36th, commanded by Lt Colonel Hinde of the 32nd and those of the other other brigade by Lt Col Bingham of the 53rd. Twenty men carrying ladders preceded them, and all advanced at the same time, led on by Major General Bowes, who had the chief command. The instant out troops showed themselves a dreadful fire was opened on them, and the result was precisely such as most officers anticipated, a failure attended d with severe loss of life. In a very few minutes the assault was repelled, but little more than half of the assailants returned. Major General Bowes was killed, we sent a flag of truce for leave to bury the dead and remove the wounded, but it was not received. Previous to this attempt, the only effect from the fire of the batteries had been the partial damaging of the defences, but no breech had been made.”

History of the 32nd Cornwall Light Infantry, by George Swiney 1893, page 123;

" "The 32nd was reduced to one hundred and thirty, and my company to eleven men."

The regiment had not a single absentee. The following interesting statistics are taken from the United Service Magazine, March, 1880:-

"Of eighty corporals who went into action, eight reckoned fourteen years service or over; eighteen had from seven to fourteen years service; and fifteen were under seven years service. The oldest corporal, Davey, had enlisted originally in the Devon and Cornwall Fencible Infantry in 1799. Of 568 privates who went into action, 81 had fourteen years service or over; 180 had from 7 to 14 years service, and the rest, one boy included, had under seven years service. The old soldiers, i.e. the corporals and privates of fourteen years service and over, therefore constituted about 15 percent of the strength. Of these two had enlisted in 1793, one in the 4th Dragoons and as a boy in the 32nd Foot; one had originally enlisted in the Devon Fencible Infantry in the West Indies; 33 more enlisted on its return home in 1799.

The young soldiers, i.e., the men with less than 7 years service, formed about 52%, and most of them had only two or three years service, being transfers from the disbanded 2nd battalion." "

6 Div left on Douro and main body to Madrid arr 12 Aug (1st Sep left Madrid towards Burgos)

19 Sep 1st and 6th Div invested Burgos. (19 Oct to 21 Oct) Wellington “toughest job yet undertaken”. a lot of men still suffering from the sickness picked up from the Walcheren Campaign

32nd quartered in an old convent in the town. Lack of artillery meant siege made little progress

21 Oct Siege abandoned. 32nd lost 1 KIA 3 WIA. Retreat after nightfall. 32nd mustered 150 men although 750 in country. Skirmish retreat to Douro under privations, blew bridges, crossed the Carrion to Duenas, crossed Douro

8 Nov Reached old positions in front of Salamanca

17 Nov Approached Ciudad Rodrigo, 32nd lost 50 men in retreat. To Barquilla into Portugal

3 Dec Into winter quarters St Jago, received 150 men from 2/32. Hinde Bde with 36th, 1/11th and 61st 6 Div Clinton

1813:

25 Mar 1813 James is in the Regimental Hospital at the time of the March muster and was still in hospital at the end of the April muster.

19 May 32nd crossed Douro reaching Malados on 26th

29 May Crossed river Corsa at Murza where Hindes Bde waited til 31st

1 Jun 6th Div crossed the Elsa and marched until

19 Jun Where halted near Vittoria

22 Jun Hindes Bde reached Vittoria missing battle on 21st . From Vittoria 6th Div despatched to blockade Pamplona , from 2 - 12 July (3rd, 4th and 6th Div) 12and when relieved went to join Wellington now triumphant on the Pyrenees behind which was Soult.

Pamplona blockaded from 25 June to 31 Oct 181312

Battle of Pyrenees 25 Jul -2 Aug (32nd 146 bars)

27 Jul 1813 6 Div moving up from St Estevan halted by order, formed for battle, French columns of attack advanced and Battle of the Pyrenees commenced.

Hindes Bde ordered forward seize a mountain, French came up other, British arrived first and fired with effect, terrible result and French driven back thru Sauroren and pursued. 32nd losses very severe, 52 casualties, 6th Div Packenham.

28 Jul 1813

29 Jul Quiet with armies in respective positions

30 Jul Engaged near Ostiz

2 Aug After descending slopes briefly entering France retired to Heights of Maya, watching the Pass. Lambert took Bde.

1 Sep 32nd and Div drove French from heights in front

7 Oct Created a diversion for Bidossa action. Until 9 Nov suffered from bad weather in Pyrenees

Oct 1813 James listed as “sick absent” this muster

10 Nov 1813 Army advanced on the Nivelle (32nd 101 bars)

Wellington wrote that he saw the 6th Div under Clinton cross the Nivelle having driven in the enemies picquets on both flanks and make a handsome attack on enemy behind d’Arrhune carrying all the entrenchments and redoubts on their flank. The left Bde incl 32nd particularly distinq itself in taking the heights of d”Arrhune.32nd 8 KIA 55 WIA

After battle 6 Div into cantonments, 32nd occupying Ustaritz, on river 10 m above Bayonne.

8 Dec 32nd crossed Nive by boat bridge engaged enemy and returned 10th to Ustaritz 2 KIA 5 WIA

Battle of Nive 9-13 Dec (32nd 79 bars)

12 Dec 6 Div ordered across the Nive

Shared the duties of the left Bde with ”trifling loss”

6 Div went into cantonments near Villefrancha on the Nive and remained until 21 Feb - received two drafts of men from 2/32 114 men

25 Dec 1813 to 24 Mar 1814 Muster Corporal at Orthez

43 James Pearce Warminster Labourer No.7 Company Absent in 1st muster (of three in period) because “on Duty” 90 days 10 pence a day – 3 pounds 15 shillings.

1814:

21 Jan 32nd moved from Villefrancha towards Orthez

9 Feb Bn in Villa Francha

27 Feb 1814 Battle of Orthez (32nd 114 bars)

6th Div crossed pontoon bridge, attacked French lost 6,000 men, 6 Div did not advance beyond Orthez

28th Feb Crossed the Ardour River

14 Mar Short of supplies 32nd sent back to St Jean de Luz, 8 days march arriving this day

25 Mar 1814 to 2 May 1814 (most to 24 June) Muster Corp

43 James Pearce No.7 Company 39 days 1 pound 12 shillings and 6 pence, note “21 May to Private” Struck out in red.

10 Apr Directed from Tarbes to Toulouse (Battle of Toulouse this day, 32nd 76 bars yet not a Battle Honour and does not appear on Orbat – so possibly a 2nd Bn detachment??) 13

20 Apr Joined 6 Div beyond Toulouse, the battle having been fought

After battle and hostilities ceased 32nd cantoned at Pavie. Lambert took Div from Clinton

June Div got orders to march to Bordeaux

14 June Arrived Blaye Fort, Bordeaux

21 Jun 6th Div marched for Pauillac, on Garonne and embarked

21/06/1814 – The 32nd Foot leaves the Peninsula on the ships ‘Robert Taylor’, ‘Durham’, ‘Hariet’ & ‘Newcastle’ transports and lands at the Cove of Cork on 10-11/07/1814

26 Jun Sailed

25 Jun 1814 to 24 July Muster Private

531 James Pearce No.7 Company, 30 days 7 pence a day 17 shillings and 6 pence. 7 yrs plus service class. (Muster also shows a 532 James Pearce in 10 Company)

12 July 32nd arrived Cove of Cork and marched to Middleton then to Cloncorry barracks

32nd awarded Battle Honours – Roleia, Vimiera, Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthez

25 Jul 1814 to 24 Sept 1814 Muster Private

Perhaps detached from the Battalion either because they were new recruits drafted out who had 13not joined the battalion, or perhaps Flank company men who has been detached as often was the practice -  Light companies in particular were  frequently were grouped with other regiments’ Light coys to form ad hoc Light Battalions

628 James Pearce No.7 Company, 62 days at 1 shilling a day, 3 pounds 2 shillings, incl. Allowance in lieu of beer and on a march – 62 days in lieu of beer, 11 days on a march, route number 784 – Warminster Labourer (Muster also shows J Pearce of 10th Coy Buckley Labourer)

Mid Aug Cloncorry to Fermoy – received 138 men from 2/32, here 100 men who had enlisted for limited service were discharged

October 1814- James transfers from the 7th Company to the 10th Company

25 Sep to 3 Nov 1814 Muster Private

714 James Pearce No.10 Company , 40 days at 1 shilling and 1 pence, 2 14pounds 3 shillings and 4 pence, 40 days in lieu beer, 1 on march, Route number 8. Absent 1st muster note “from 7 company”, 2nd muster “discharged having completed first period of service”. (no Buckley Pearce shown as promoted Corp 25 Aug)

November Received remaining 2/32 men

3 November James Discharged at the end of his limited period of service (7 years) at Cork.

10th was Light Company14

1841 Census - Parish of Warminster, Bread Street, James Pearce age 60 yrs (therefore 1781) Labourer, Edith Pearce, age 45 yrs, James 14 yrs, William 12 yrs, Rachel 10 yrs, Eliza 8 yrs, Louisa 6 yrs, Joseph 3 yrs. All born in same county.

1848 Issue of medal Roll, 32nd Regt of Foot – Non-pensioners

James Pearce, Corp. (Troop or Company) Capt Toole 15

(Note Talavera – 2nd Bn detachment 4 bars)

13 May 1851 “III Pensioner newly admitted to Outpension” – date of admission as permanent outpensioner and commencement of 6 pence payment

20 May 1852? 2nd record. Date of Admission to Outpension, transferred from Trowbridge (10km north of Warminster). Rate of pension 6 pence. Previous to transference paid to 31 March 1856. Permanent.

Looks like James served in his coy through the war. William H Toole 32nd Foot 1808 (Pen War 15Officers PP), Capt 32nd Foot 7 Sep 04, Bt Major 4 Jun 14, Aug 08- Jan 11, Jul 11 – Nov 12, Apr 13- Oct 13, Rol, Vim, Cor, Sge Sal, Sal, Pyr. Slight wded Sal 22 Jul 12, Wded Pyrenees Sauraron 27 Jul 13. Also Walcheren, Waterloo Wded, Died 17 Aug 1831. Egypt Gold Medal for 1801, Order of Gold Crescent and Waterloo all at Regimental Museum. MGS 7 Bars to William Toole Lt 40th Foot different man

Headed “II. Pensioners transferred to the District”, meaning Bath?

1-31 March 1856 Transferred from Trowbridge District to Bath District, paid to 31 March 1856.

1 April 1856 Recorded as Bath, residence probably continuing? -Trowbridge

4 August 1857 “Candidates for In-pension Board”.

“James Pearce age 73 – This man appeared at the board” BD 1784? Total service 7 years 6 mnths as Private. Rate per day 6 pence. Cause of discharge – “Discharged in 1815 Wounded by gunshot in the bowels remaining in the internal parts which bent him double” Admit pension list 13 May 1851. 16Board decides admitted from 1 August 1857.

“States he served in Portugal Spain and France and was at Orthez, Nive, Nivelle, Pyrenees, Salamanca, Vimiera, Roleia – Corunna, Pamplona, Copenhagen 1807 – and the taking of Flushing” – Bath Staff District.

1861 Census – District Royal Hospital Chelsea, Chelsea South, Chelsea St Luke, Middlesex - James Pearce, Private, Widower, age 80 yrs (1781), Chelsea Pensioner, born Wilts, Warminster

Possible wounded Corunna as in hospital (not noted as sick) in June 1809 4 months after Corunna 16and may explain why did not get bar?

9 May 1867 Chelsea record – died “?PC” ???? Pensioner Chelsea?

Apr May June 1867 Deaths Registered in these months – “James Pearce age 86 Chelsea” BD 1781

Brompton Cemetery used from 1855-93