Private Andrew Logan Pearce

Andrew Logan Pearce (or Pierce) was born on 20 January 1901 at 237 Cregagh Street, Belfast, the eighth of ten children of blacksmith (also described as shipyard engine-smith) John Pearce and his wife Agnes (née Young). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 81 Portallo Street, Belfast, with his parents, siblings and a great-aunt.

Pearce enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 30 May 1917, reporting for duty at Antrim the following day, where he was issued regimental number 2463. He gave his age as nineteen (though he was only sixteen) and his occupation as fitter.

Later that year, however, Pearce's true age was discovered, and on 29 September 1917 he was discharged, 'having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment, soldier under 17 years of age at date of application for discharge' (paragraph 392(vi)(a), King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'good. No offence is recorded during his 123/365 year's service.'