OFFICER'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24032, 1 August 1941, Page 9

OFFICER'S DEATH

COLONEL 0. J. PIE ROE PRESENT WAR SERVICE 'O.C.) HAMTLTOX, Thursday Till' death occurred in Hamilton tonight of Lieutenant-Colonel Caro J a inos Pierce, M.C.. K. 1)., of thp Divisional Cavalry, first echelon, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, aged IS years. Colonel Pierce was horn at Jnglowood. laranaki, and at an early age lie took a keen interest in the volunteer movement. Me enlisted at the outbreak ot the Croat War, and was posted to the Wellington Mounted Rifles. He served 011 Callipoli as a sergeant, and was wounded at the Table Top engagement. Colonel Pierce was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and was later awarded the .Military Cross.

On returning to New Zealand, lie took up farming at Paterangi. near Ohaupo, and was a prominent member of the Ohaupo branch of the Farmers' L'nion and the Waikato executive of the union. He continued his interest, in the territorials, and was appointed officer commanding the Waikato Mounted Rifles, with the rank ot lieutenantcolonel. At the outbreak of the present war he again volunteered, and was appointed officer commanding the New Zealand Divisional Mechanised Cavalry in the Middle East, Colonel Pierce took part in engagements in the Western Desert, and was invalided home early this year. He married Miss May Stanners. who survives him. and leaves two sons and two daughters.