PEARCE, William Bastion (1891-1939).jpg)
W B Pearce (Prefect, 1909).
William Bastion Pearce was born on 7 November 1891, the son of James Pearce and Druscilla nee Gribble.
He became a boarder at Geelong College in 1904, departing in 1909. His address at enrolment was 30 Pleasant St, Ballarat. He was a member of the 1st Football XVIII in 1907, 1908 and 1909; the Athletics Team in 1908 and 1909; and rowed in the College 1st Rowing VIII in 1909. He was also a School Prefect in 1909. After leaving College he studied at Ormond College, University of Melboume, where he graduated LLB.
During World War I, he enlisted (No. 3366) as a Private in the AIF on 5 March 1915, and sailed on
HMAT A31 Ajana on 4 June 1915. He served in Egypt and on Gallipoli with C Section, 6th Field Ambulance. He was wounded there and invalided home to Australia on 3 January 1916, then discharged on 9 July. He saw Home Service as an Honorary Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve from May 1918 until January 1919.
On 14 September 1917 he placed a notice in
The Age newspaper stating that he had applied to the Full Court to be a Barrister and Solicitor from the 1 October 1917. He died on 30 January 1939. The Riverine Herald reported:
'The death has occurred of Mr William B. Pearce, a brother of Dr J V Pearce, of Echuca; He was on holiday with friends at Airey's Inlet and his demise was unexpected. He was 48 years of age.' Pegasus in June 1939 included an obituary:
'William Bastian Pearce (1909) died suddenly on January 30, 1939. He was a College prefect in 1909, and after matriculation entered Ormond College, later taking the degree of LL.B. He was in the football team from 1907 to 1909 and
rowed in the crew in 1909. He enlisted for the Great War, served with the 6th Field Ambulance on Gallipoli, and from Egypt was invalided home with a severe attack of enteric fever. He was discharged and although he endeavoured to re-enlist in the army he was unsuccessful. Later he joined the navy with the rank of Lieutenant and remained in that branch of the Services until the termination of the War. He was admitted to the Victorian Bar and for a time he was associate to Mr. Justice Hodges and later practised at the Bar. In 1924 he became a partner in the firm of Arthur Phillips, Pearce and Just and in 1928 he joined another Old Collegian in T. M. Dickson in the legal firm of Alex. Grant, Dickson and Pearce, which association he retained until his death.' His brother,
Dr James Vine Pearce (1889-1960), was also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: The Age (Melb) 14 September 1917; Riverine Herald (Echuca) 1 Feb 1939 p2; Pegasus June 1939 p59; Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p 283 (citing The University of Melbourne: Record of Active Service of Teachers, Graduates, Undergraduates, Officers and Servants (1926); The Pegasus; National Archives.)