John Pearce was born in Ballarat and was an Ironmonger when he enlisted in the 2nd Australian General Hospital, Special Reinforcements on 14 July 1915 at the age of 25. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 18 October 1915. His record shows he suffered no major illness or injury other than suffering a bout of influenza while in Ghezireh on 22 December 1915.

He was awarded the Military Medal for /conspicuous bravery and setting a fine example to their comrades at a critical time, when carrying wounded from the R.A.P situated about three quarters of a mile S.E. of Millencourt, during heavy bombardment which preceded an enemy attack at about 7 a.m. The carry was a long and dangerous one, and the routes almost continuously swept by heavy shell fire.'

He returned to Australia 2 March 1919
Tree No. 710