Born 18/08/1919 at Raleigh Twsp. at the J. Simpson farm in Raleigh Twsp. and raised in Merlin. Son of Harold C. and Ella Fay Pierce, of Merlin, and Leamington, Ontario. Brother of Ethel Beryl AW1 RCAF(WD), Irene (Halliday), June (Atkinson) and Murray of Tilbury. The husband of Betty Ann (nee Lewis) Pierce, of Merlin, father of  Harold and Ronald ‘Ronnie’ age 2 ½ years, Pierce of Merlin. Prior to his enlistment he was employed at the Ford motor Co. in Windsor. A member of the Merlin United Church and a member of the Merlin I.O.O.F Lodge.  MS 10/08/44    

Doug enlisted 17/04/1941 at Windsor, ON. He received his basic training at No.12 BTC. Chatham, Camp Borden, ON. then to Vancouver, Prince Rupert, BC. and Debert. CDN 8/09/44(P)

Pte. Pierce was home from Camp Borden from Saturday to Wednesday to visit his family.

The Merlin Standard 20/11/41 reported that Pte. Pierce was spending “ a leave at his home” before returning to Prince Rupert, BC. Also training at Camp Delbert. 

He arrived in England 1/09/1942. “Douglas had been in France only about two weeks prior to his death.”, although he had been overseas for four years. He was serving with the 12^th Manitoba Dragoons RCAC 18^th Armd. Car Regt.

Age: 24 yrs. 11 mth., KIA Date of Death: 18/07/1944. Killed when a gun (Canon) accidentally exploded that was near Charles.

 

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XIV. D. 16.

Cemetery: BENY-SUR-MER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, REVIERS.

Curators Note: There is a photo of his grave marker and cemetery on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial website.

“DEATH INSPIRES HIGH TRIBUTE”

CDN-1/02/45

What follows is taken from a newspaper article, paper and date not know. – JRH.

“The death of Trooper Pierce of Merlin last July provided the inspiration to Liaison Officer Lieut. J. D. Garrett who composed the prizes verse in the Canadian Army Poetry Contest.”

LINES BEFORE CAEN.

How much man-made madness;

This tragic devastating chaos

Compel us mortals, humbled now

in sadness

As the god snatch up those

standing at our side,

To search the ruins left for signs of

gladness.

Must it be the Will of Him who

made

This earth obey this sun, to steal

the life

Of one whose boyhood days had

not yet ‘gun to fade

From mind? And yet perhaps for

you

“Tis paradise attained with

Freedom as is prayed

From the earthly bonds that make

us slave

 

To our fears, our hate, our jeal-

ousies, conceits.

Your leaving stimulates – our will

to crave

A warless world, and further to

equate

Our contributions ‘gainst those

you freely gave

But yesterday. If not your lot to

‘strain and struggle on to

storm the citadels of crime,

Then be it known your life was not

in vain,

For from a minor mortal role –

a single link

Forged from the strangled chain

So soon to tighten hideously

about the foe –

You now appear to those you knew

A star on high, a guide to us below

To hold our faith, to stride ahead beyond this Hell

In peaceful wisdom finally to grow.

 

The Merlin Standard 27/07/44 reported that a Memorial Service for Tpr. Charles Douglas Pierce was held at the Merlin United Church and was filled to capacity Sunday evening.  

Many  members of the IOOF Lodge attended and the Army was also represented from the platoon of the Tilbury Company 2^nd Kents. The “Last Post” was played at the conclusion of the service. (photo).   

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Merlin United Church 1870 – 1995 Roll of Honour., Photo of grave marker on Veteran Affairs Virtual War Memorial, PA/GWI, CWGC, CDN (1/02/45), MS (9/08/44), RCLM,, DMS., MCS42/43, WHS-RH.
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XIV. D. 16. Cemetery: BENY-SUR-MER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, REVIERS.

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