Military Records

John Pierce, son of Mrs Wm Pierce, Ballykale, Gorey, who emigrated to New Zealand some three years ago, joined the New Zealand Rifle Brigade at Wellington in April of last year. He sailed on the 4th of March with the 10th Reinforced New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and was sent straight to the front, where he went through several engagements. On the 11th April he was wounded in the right thigh by shrapnel, and having spent a while in the base hospital he was then taken to the second London General Hospital, Chelsea, where he succumbed to blood poisoning, as the result of the wound on the 17th Jul; y. The remains arrived at Gorey railway station on the 23rd July, where an exceedingly large number of sympathisers were in waiting and the funeral then left for the family burial ground, Tubberneering. The cortege was of exceedingly large dimensions, being representative of every class and creed, and all were anxious to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased who, before going foreign was a great favourite in the locality, and most exemplary in every way. The deepest sympathy of all is tendered to his bereaved parents and family in the great loss sustained by the death of their son, who died in a noble cause. The chief mourners were; Wm Pierce ( father ) Ernest Pierce ( son ) John Hill, Ballydaniel ( uncle ), John Hill, Plasnew, Thomas Hill, Ballydaniel, R Poole, Dublin, George Hanstock, Ballykale, John Hill, Tubberneering, Thomas Hill; do, D Hanstock and Wm Hanstock (cousins). The High Commissioner for New Zealand, writing from London and sending a beautiful wreath, tendered his personal sympathy to the parents of the deceased in the loss of their son, whom he said, was a brave soldier, and died ina noble cause for the honour of his country. The officers of the New Zealand War Contingent, London, also sent a handsome wreath, and also by the following: With deepest sympathy, from the Hanstock family, Loving remembrance from John, Willie, Emma and Lillie Hall. With Sympathy from W Foley; Affectionate remembrance, from Daisy; To honour a brave soldier, with deepest sympathy, from the Godkin family, Banogue; In affectionate remembrance from his cousins at Tubberneering; With deepest sympathy, from Ethel; With tearful sorrow from Alice and Agnes; With deepest sympathy from Mildred, Hilda and H. T. Gray. In loving memory, from N Cooke and family; With sincere sympathy, from J and L Cooke, With heartfelt sorrow, from his loving mother and sister.