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DAVID PEARCE

A Defence Department statement following the death in Afghanistan yesterday of Trooper David Pearce:

David Pearce spent 18 wonderful years with his wife and had two beautiful daughters aged 11 and 6 years, who were the love and centre of his life.

David joined the Army relatively late in life.

After three years with the Army Reserve, including a tour of Solomon Islands, he joined the Regular Army at the age of 39.

With his life experience, outgoing personality and ability to relate to people of all ages, he was a popular and respected member of his unit.

He was a patriotic Australian and loved his work with the Army, particularly the comradeship he developed with his mates.

Posted by Tim B. on 10/08/2007 at 10:35 PM
  1. Contrast Trooper David Pearce and David Hicks: One is a dutiful, patriotic dad, the other a traitorous, deadbeat father.

    Guess which one is cherished by the Left?

    Posted by lingus4 on 2007 10 08 at 10:50 PM • permalink

  2. Vale Trooper David Pearce.

    May God bless you and your family.

    Thank you for your service.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 10 08 at 10:55 PM • permalink

  3. It takes a special kind of person to become a police officer, firefighter or soldier.  Someone has to go down a dark alley to apprehend cutthroats, enter burning or collapsing buildings to save lives, or tangle day after day with vicious thugs under the worst conditions imaginable while being reviled and criticised by cynical politicians at home.  God bless Trooper Pearce.

    Tim, let us know if there is any kind of fund set up for his wife and family.

    Posted by Mystery Meat on 2007 10 08 at 10:57 PM • permalink

  4. The sad fact is that there are a lot of arguments used by the usual ‘haters’ that are rarely challenged.

    The first furphy is that Trooper Pearce is ‘an aggressor’, fighting . The truth is many of the soldiers over there are building Mosques, schools and other buildings so as to improve the lives of others.

    Some ‘animals’ eh?

    Posted by Nic on 2007 10 08 at 10:57 PM • permalink

  5. Unfortunately (and expectedly) the unfortunate death of one of our own has brought the gibbons out in force- they’ve been anticipating such an event with much glee, seeing as it gives them the opportunity to self-rightously berate Howard, Bush and capitalism, and to belittle members of the ADF and their choice to serve. Frankly, if Australia was as populous with this vermin as they believe it to be I’d let the fucking Taliban and their muckers have the place.

    I’m sorry for the blokes family, and wish we could get out of there but short of nuking the place there’s no quick fix. Perhaps if we started dropping hippies rather than cluster bombs it’d shorten things considerably. The next “Books Not Bombs” type I see had better keep their pie hole well closed if they don’t want it full of 8EEE DM.

    Posted by Habib on 2007 10 08 at 11:03 PM • permalink

  6. It’s a mystery why a good man like David Pearce dies, and a POS like David Hicks lives.

    Recently, near where I live, a young soldier was on his way home to see his family, before shipping out to Iraq. He was less than an hour from home, about two AM, after driving all day. A drunk crossed the centerline and hit him head-on.

    Guess who died in the wreck.

    Posted by rinardman on 2007 10 08 at 11:09 PM • permalink

  7. #5 Habib, there are a few comments there which the authors should be ashamed of. Comments 5, 18, 19, 23, 24, 28, and 57 in particular.

    When I have a moment later, I’ll read them all.

    How can people honestly think the military presence in Afghanistan is a farce?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 10 08 at 11:12 PM • permalink

  8. #6 That’s terrible Rinardman. No doubt it wasn’t the drunk.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 10 08 at 11:13 PM • permalink

  9. The name of Trooper David Pearce will shine in bronze as one of our immortal dead in the heart of the nation. It will be there, cloistered with our best, for all to see, as long as there is an Australia.

    He and his family have set an example of duty and sacrifice that should humble all.

    ‘Their name liveth forever more’

    Posted by Penguin on 2007 10 08 at 11:14 PM • permalink

  10. I have been dreading this day, a combat casualty in Afghanistan.
    Reason tells you that if you have soldiers engaged in a war, then some of those soldiers are going to die, but it doesn’t make it any easier when the sad news arrives.

    My deepest condolences to Trooper David Pearce’s family and his comrades-in arms.

    Forever part of the Regimental family.

    +++ Lest We Forget +++

    Posted by Pedro the Ignorant on 2007 10 08 at 11:15 PM • permalink

  11. Thankyou David Pearce from the bottom of my heart.

    Warm up the napalm and head for the poppy fields.

    Posted by Gibbo on 2007 10 08 at 11:25 PM • permalink

  12. Habib, the comments are worse from the usual infestation of pixies and sprites here

    Posted by Nic on 2007 10 08 at 11:28 PM • permalink

  13. Vale, Troope Pearce.  My condolences to his family and loved ones.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 10 08 at 11:30 PM • permalink

  14. Vale, David Pearce. A big thank you to you and all that serve.

    #12 - Worse still, those comments were left under a section titled “leave your tributes”. Luckily it wasn’t titled “expose your black, bile filled heart here”.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 10 08 at 11:37 PM • permalink

  15. Geez the tapeworms crept out quickly to swarm over the still warm corpse of the man who died doing what was right didnt they?

    Those commenter’s need a trip to Pukka to explain their comments to the soldiers there, followed by some Special High Intensity Training.

    Respect for the trooper who died, and sympathies to his family.

    Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 10 08 at 11:50 PM • permalink

  16. #1 - As you say. Well put.

    My condolences to Trooper David Pearce’s family and friends. Of whom, no doubt, there were many.

    RIP.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 10 08 at 11:54 PM • permalink

  17. My wishes to David’s family.  It’s a tragedy that people like David die defending innocents from evil like the Taliban/Al Quaeda, but the world’s a better place for his trying.

    Tim, any chance of setting up a collection?

    Posted by Mr Hackenbacker on 2007 10 09 at 12:01 AM • permalink

  18. On my way to the bus stop this morning, I passed numerous cafes where dozens of early risers were sitting in the sun, enjoying a coffee and a chat.  A pack of cyclists that had been for a dawn ride.  School kids waiting for their bus.  Shopkeepers opening up in readiness for the morning trade.  Mums pushing prams.

    I choked up a bit thinking how peaceful, prosperous and pleasant a life we have in Australia, and the sacrifices that some people make to keep it that way. 

    Lest we forget.

    Posted by mr creosote on 2007 10 09 at 12:02 AM • permalink

  19. My sincerest condolences to his family - especially the two children left behind.

    On a related, and equally sad note, Christopher Hitchens recently wrote about a young US soldier who decided, partly inspired by Hitchens’ writing, to enlist.  The soldier was killed in Iraq, and Hitchens story on meeting his family is heartbreaking but a beautiful testament to the young man:

    http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/11/hitchens200711?currentPage=1

    My apologies if already posted.

    Posted by attilathepun on 2007 10 09 at 12:05 AM • permalink

  20. #19 - Absolutely amazing story. Makes me feel very small.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 10 09 at 12:24 AM • permalink

  21. #14 IT, actually, they changed it from ‘leave your thoughts’ after they saw the initial responses.

    Posted by Nic on 2007 10 09 at 12:26 AM • permalink

  22. We can only hope and pray that his sacrifice will be remembered and cherished by those who enjoy the freedom and security that he - and many like him - have lived and died defending.

    Posted by Ian Deans on 2007 10 09 at 12:31 AM • permalink

  23. God bless you, David.  May your family find strength and peace and know that you gave your life for peace and strength.
    God bless all of the diggers that are putting their lives on the line. The long thin line.

    Posted by missred on 2007 10 09 at 12:39 AM • permalink

  24. #21

    Well “thoughts” is still a bridge way, way too far by half again.


    May God bless Trooper David Pearce and grant quick serenity to his wife and two children.  I think we need more fathers like Trooper Pearce and far fewer(0) of the Terry Hicks variety.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 10 09 at 12:39 AM • permalink

  25. Rest in Peace, Soldier

    Posted by Grimmy on 2007 10 09 at 12:46 AM • permalink

  26. Rest In Peace Trooper David Pearce.

    Posted by darrinhV2 on 2007 10 09 at 12:46 AM • permalink

  27. I recently saw a quote by President Reagan that is highly appropriate.  I won’t put it in quotes because I can’t remember the exact words but here it is.

    Some people go through their whole lives wondering whether or not they made a difference.  Marines don’t have that problem.

    That applies equally to the Aussies, Brits and Canucks in this fight.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2007 10 09 at 01:06 AM • permalink

  28. #27, yojimbo:

    Amen.

    Posted by Grimmy on 2007 10 09 at 01:26 AM • permalink

  29. I can’t believe the crap in the SMH comments page: “well, we hate the war but we are sorry he died”.

    What BS.

    Trooper Pearce was a Reservists and then, a couple of years ago, became a Reg.  A Reg, for God’s Sake.  At the age of 39.

    Do you think he was under any illusion about who he was fighting against?  Or what he was fighting for?

    Do you think he would have said that he opposes the war, but supports his mates?

    Do you think he would have pleaded that “he was only following orders”?

    This is the truth that the feral Left refuses to face: each soldier who signed up after the 11th September 2001 knows exactly what he is fighting against and who his enemy is.  He didn’t sign up to fight the Chinese or the Japanese or the Indos or the Germans.

    Honour his memory - but also honour his CHOICE in fighting against our enemies, and his identification of who our enemies are.

    Posted by Apparatchik on 2007 10 09 at 01:48 AM • permalink

  30. yojimbo,

    Yes, amen, and to repeat what Mr Hackenbacker said, the world is a better place for Trooper Pearce being in it.

    Condolences to his friends and family.

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 10 09 at 01:54 AM • permalink

  31. #27

    Found the exact quote.

    “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference to the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.” - Ronald Reagan

    Posted by Hank Reardon on 2007 10 09 at 02:06 AM • permalink

  32. #5,Habib, and #7, Ash.

    I was disgusted earlier today to see similar comments left on the The Sydney Morning Herald website.

    Probably the same mob.  There is no way to get through to people like these. Their minds are closed and their eyes are turned firmly to the Left.

    They know, but don’t want to hear, that the Afghanistan campaign is being carried out at the request of the United Nations Security Council, with the support of the vast majority of UN members. 

    They refuse to understand that John Howard is not personally responsible.  When the international community - including all NATO and EU members, the Scandinivian countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan itself - asked Australia to provide troops, what was he supposed to say? No? They can’t even see that he successfully limited the numbers we sent.

    Sending troops to Afghanistan was approved in Canberra, with little disagreement.

    The Greens did have problems with it, but then they wanted the troops sent to Darfur instead, for “humanitarian” efforts. Which is what the Australian troops are basically doing in Afghanistan. 

    Mind you, in Darfur they’d have to carry out those humanitarian efforts in camouflage, with a rifle in at least one hand and with air cover.

    You can’t win with people like this. They would reject immutable evidence even if it literally hit them between the eyes.

    Posted by ann j on 2007 10 09 at 02:44 AM • permalink

  33. For Trooper Pearce and his family.

    Posted by Pogria on 2007 10 09 at 02:51 AM • permalink

  34. The difference between the civilised world and the ignorant hate fuelled world of Islam, is how life and death is perceived. Within Islam life is a devalued currency, used by the likes of the Taliban as a cheap commodity.  They waste a life the way they waste ammunition, the shite these people have to believe (72 virgins, Allahs will blah fucking blah) to make themselves so called martyrs is reprehensible.  The death of Trooper Pearce will only strengthen the resolve of his comrades.  RIP Trooper Pearce.

    Posted by Howzat on 2007 10 09 at 02:57 AM • permalink

  35. Condolences to his family and friends.
    From an Australian grateful for his service to his country and the people of Afghanistan.

    Posted by lotocoti on 2007 10 09 at 02:59 AM • permalink

  36. Poor bastard.

    Posted by murph on 2007 10 09 at 03:18 AM • permalink

  37. Vale Trooper Pearce, a heartfelt thank you for your service to the country, and I hope your family and friends remember you with pride.

    Posted by Kaboom on 2007 10 09 at 03:50 AM • permalink

  38. #19, what an ama zing piece.

    Perhaps the Orwell quote in the Hitchen’s piece is a fitting goodbye to David Pearce and all those who die in order to save other people’s lives, although the quote from the Kurdish guy was spot on:

    But the thing I saw in your face
    No power can disinherit:
    No bomb that ever burst
    Shatters the crystal spirit.

    (Orwell)

    Very sad for the people left behind.

    Posted by carpefraise on 2007 10 09 at 03:57 AM • permalink

  39. Condolences to Trooper David Pearce’s family and friends. This man did not die in vain. Like many before him, his memory will live on.

    Posted by BJM on 2007 10 09 at 04:32 AM • permalink

  40. Pogria

    Excellent choice, saw her in Oz a few years back.

    Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 10 09 at 04:44 AM • permalink

  41. #5. Habib. It simply reflects some of the ideological types that tend to haunt certain Fairfax publications online.

    Posted by BJM on 2007 10 09 at 04:59 AM • permalink

  42. The Royal Australian Armoured Corps has lost another fine soldier.

    Lest we forget.

    Posted by Razor on 2007 10 09 at 05:02 AM • permalink

  43. “Forward”

    God Bless Trooper

    Posted by Just Another Bloody Lawyer on 2007 10 09 at 05:04 AM • permalink

  44. At John 15:13 the Bible says, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

    The word translated as “love” is the Greek “agape”. It refers not to a warm, gooey, feeling but to a firm attitude of the mind or spirit.  It is an attitude in which one seeks for, and works towards, what is best for the other. 

    Someone wrote that the body can be enslaved but not the mind.  David Pearce was one who was working towards preserving freedom of both body and mind, for his family, his friends, for all Australians and, indeed, for the world.  He was even working towards preserving freedom for the miserable, parasitic, personality-disordered creeps who have used his death as an opportunity to play politics and stroke their own self-righteous egos.  May they be shunned. 

    Thank you, David, for being willing to sacrifice yourself for our good.  May you rest in peace.  May your wife and children find all the comfort and support they need as they struggle with adjusting to life without you.

    Posted by Janice on 2007 10 09 at 05:55 AM • permalink

  45. May God bless David Pearce and the Pearce Family.

    Posted by wronwright on 2007 10 09 at 06:02 AM • permalink

  46. #40 frollicking,

    thank you, I don’t believe it can ever be overused.

    May they find some comfort there.

    Posted by Pogria on 2007 10 09 at 06:17 AM • permalink

  47. #44 Janice,

    You have truly nailed it.

    Posted by Pogria on 2007 10 09 at 06:19 AM • permalink

  48. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
    Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
    At the going down of the sun and in the morning
    We will remember them.

    Lest we forget.

    Posted by surfmaster on 2007 10 09 at 06:23 AM • permalink

  49. Bugger.  He was from my old regiment - 2/14.

    Didn’t know him.  Apparently, he joined after 9-11.

    I left 10 years ago.

    Posted by murph on 2007 10 09 at 06:29 AM • permalink

  50. Some TV airhead asked Alexander Downer if the death of David Pearce meant it was dangerous in Afghanistan.

    Downer replied yes, of course it is, that is why we have sent soldiers there. If wasn’t dangerous we would have sent aid workers.

    RIP David Pearce.

    Posted by Contrail on 2007 10 09 at 06:31 AM • permalink

  51. ``Guess who died in the wreck.’’

    The drunks never do, unfortunately.  Damned if I know why. 

    RIP Trooper Pearce, and God bless the country that produces men like him.

    Posted by Sonetka's Mom on 2007 10 09 at 07:06 AM • permalink

  52. Cast a cold eye On life, on death. Horseman, pass by!

    - the epitaph chiselled on William Butler Yeats’s gravestone

    Posted by murph on 2007 10 09 at 07:10 AM • permalink

  53. God bless you Trooper Pearce. Condolences to family and fellow soldiers.

    Posted by LaoHuLi on 2007 10 09 at 07:15 AM • permalink

  54. #50

    Downer should have said:

    “If you are too stupid to even ask that question, then you are too stupid to comprehend any answer that I may give you.”

    It’s about time that people started treating the media with the contempt that it deserves.

    Posted by murph on 2007 10 09 at 07:20 AM • permalink

  55. In case you missed it in the earlier thread, here’s my comment with the link to Victor David Hanson’s article, in which he speaks a mighty truth: the military personnel serving in harm’s way are, indeed, “the moral upper-crust” of our society.

    Posted by paco on 2007 10 09 at 08:45 AM • permalink

  56. My condolences to Trooper Pearce’s family.  He has entered the company of heroes.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 10 09 at 10:39 AM • permalink

  57. Thank you, Trooper Pearce, for your service and for being willing to pay any price. Condolences to your friends and family. May we be worthy of your, and their, sacrifice.

    Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2007 10 09 at 03:21 PM • permalink

  58. He’s joined the ranks of the immortals in whose splendid company he will find solace.
    God bless you dear family. May the good Gawd console them and may a greatful nation comfort you.
    God bless Dig.
    Rest in peace mate.

    Posted by 81Alpha on 2007 10 09 at 04:47 PM • permalink

  59. Rest in peace, brave warrior.  God bless you and your family.

    Posted by Blue State Sil on 2007 10 09 at 11:47 PM • permalink

  60. G’day everyone,
    I stumbled across this blog and would like to share my thoughts with you all. I didnt know David or his family personally but regardless, I hope you like it and thank the moderator for the chance to voice my opinion.

    In Memory Of A Fallen Mate.

    His name is David (Poppy) Pearce
    Our country he did serve,
    So now I write this tale for him
    Of that he does deserve.

    He went to fight against a foe
    With mates and men at arms
    To make this world a better place,
    Protect us from those harms.

    The price he paid was ultimate
    Of that his family knows,
    For now they suffer day to day
    From heads down to their toes.

    He leaves behind a loving wife
    And two small girls as well,
    Thats why I damn his killers here
    I damn them all to hell.

    He is the first to lose his life
    From our Great Southern Land,
    I somehow think he’s not the last
    In far Afghanistan.

    I cannot tell his wife and kids
    Of how I feel for them,
    I wish to ease their suffering
    To bring it to an end.

    So now I’d like to ask you all
    To shed three little tears,
    In memory of our fallen mate.
    David (Poppy) Pearce.

    Posted by mcrevis on 2007 10 17 at 06:34 AM • permalink

  61. Nicely written Mcrevis, and welcome to the Blair community.

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 10 17 at 06:39 AM • permalink

  62. Fine words Mcrevis.

    Posted by Penguin on 2007 10 17 at 07:48 AM • permalink

  63. Thank you Ash and Penguin.

    Posted by mcrevis on 2007 10 18 at 04:28 AM • permalink

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