253993 Sgt. Alfred Ernest Pearce British Army 1/7th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers from:Corwen, Merioneth (d.10th Aug 1915) Born in 1893, my Great-uncle Alfie Pearce joined the Merioneth and Montgomery section of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Newtown in July 1914.
His unit trained at Kinmel Bay near Abergele, North Wales, after which he was stationed at a number of Army bases in England until the following year.
At the end of July 1915 his Regiment was sent to Gallipoli. It landed at Suvla Bay on the evening of 8th August. Early on the morning of 10th, three Battalions, 1/5th, 1/6th and Alfie's battalion, 1/7th RWF, were sent to relieve 159 Battalion on the front line below Chocolate Hill with a view to advancing a further half mile upwards.
Despite gaining the initial advantage of surprise over the Turkish forces on 8th August, the allied troops had been rested for a day, so by the 10th, the Turkish forces had re-grouped and re-armed.
In order to reach the trenches, the three Welsh Battalions had to cross a dry salt lake where they encountered extremely heavy fire. Despite widening the line there were heavy casualties, added to which they met the 159 Battalion already retreating. In the chaos, the lines were broken and there were many more losses.
Nevertheless the Fusiliers reached the front line and held it for a further two days before being relieved. Much depleted, they were unable to make further progress up the hill as intended.
My Great-uncle was among the casualties that day. His body was never recovered and his name is listed amongst those missing in action on the Memorial overlooking the Dardenelle Straits.
I'm sure his story is not unique and that many young soldiers lost their lives prematurely in this and other conflicts.
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