A Collection of Medals Featuring The Efficiency Medal in its Various Forms in the UK and India
Last Site Update 18/11/24
New Items:
GSM Malaya, EM(AER) and EM(TAVR) Trio: EM(TAVR) with Clasp & Cadet Forces Medal, served with SAS: Very Scarce EM(T) EIIR to the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment: Gulf Medal & 2 Clasp EM(TAVR): Scarce EM(T)(1982) and Clasp to Royal Irish Reg: Very Scarce EM(T) EIIR to Ayrshire Yeomanry: EM(T) EIIR to Inns of Court Regiment and 1st Clasp to Inns of Court Yeomanry: EM Militia GV 14-15 Trio Group : EM Militia GV Group with WW2 Medals: EM(T) (1982) with Clasp Group with Iraq Medal& Clasp & Golden Jubilee Medal: BEM, TD & EM(T) Group to ATS, WRAC & Red Cross:
New Zealand
L/CPL. J. W. PEARCE. 2NZEF.
1939-45 Star
Africa Star with 8th Army bar
Pacific Star
Italy Star, Defence Medal
War Medal
New Zealand Service Medal
Efficiency Medal NEW ZEALAND GVI 1st Type (L/CPL. J.W.PEARCE. 2NZEF.)
Efficiency Medal New Zealand: NZAO 71 1945
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Jack Winston Pearce was born in Derbyshire, England on the 5th July 1920 the son of Cecil Harold Pearce [1891-11th Nov 1958] and Evelyn Fleta Pearce (née Wright) [1891 - 14 Apr 1951] but shown on the details of their wedding, 3 Feb 1919, as a widow (Evelyn Fleta Lager)
In 1929 the family emigrated from England, boarding the SS Tamaroa in Southampton as 3rd Class passengers for the 6 week journey to New Zealand arriving in Wellington on the 18th September 1929.
SS Tamaroa
Pearce started his military career as a Cadet at Wellington College in April 1933 until turning 16 then enlisting in the TA with the Wellington Regiment, in June 1937 he joined the 2nd Comp. Coy R.N.Z.A.S.C. until the 12 December 1939 when he transferred to the Camp Hospital at Trentham.
Corporal Jack Winston Pearce (42676) attested for war service at the age of 21 in April 1941 at Trentham with his civil occupation shown as a Clerk with the Wellington Hospital Board, he was living with his parents at 138 Whites Lane East, Lower Hutt, Wellington.
Pearce undertook multiple voyages aboard the No.1 New Zealand Hospital Ship (TSS Maunganui) evacuating casualties from North Africa between July 1941 and December 1942.
No.1 New Zealand Hospital Ship (TSS Maunganui)
In November 1942 Pearce wrote to the Adjutant of the 1st NZ HS requesting to transfer to Middle East Forces stating that he wanted to take an active part in a Field Ambulance Unit and that he felt his services would be more useful in a capacity in the Middle East, his request was successful and he transferred to the 6th Field Ambulance, serving across North Africa, where he was accidently wounded jumping from a truck during an air raid near Gabes on the way to Tunis. His service continued through Greece and into Italy until April 1944. From then until February 1945, he was posted to the No1 New Zealand Casualty Clearing Station.
The Application process for Pearce's Efficiency Medal New Zealand started in May 1945 and by June of that year the award was approved and the following letter was sent to Pearce on the 15th June 1945:
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Dear Sir,
With reference to your application of the 29th May 1945 , the award of the Efficiency Medal has been approved in your case, but the medal will not be available for issue until a further supply is received from England.
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The regulation issue of the ribbon is, however forwarded herewith.
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Should you change your address before receipt of the Medal, please advise this office of the change.
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Yours faithfully,
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I. T. Standish
Brigadier,
ADJUTANT GENERAL
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It was not until the 31st of May 1950, almost 5 years after the award of the medal, that a second letter was sent Army Headquarters, Wellington enclosing the Efficiency Medal for presentation, this was acknowledged on the 19th June 1950 as the medal had been received by Pearce.
There is still a lot of research to be read so this entry will be updated again soon
Jack Winston Pearce died on September 23rd 1980
EIIR 2nd Type NEW ZEALAND Unnamed
Efficiency Medal NEW ZEALAND EIIR 2nd Type (Unnamed)