FootyGoss :: All the Latest AFL and WAFL Breaking News

Swan Districts Pay Tribute to a True Anzac

SWANS PAY TRIBUTE TO A TRUE ANZAC

Joseph (Joe) Pearce is a man who epitomizes everything that is great about West Australian Football and the ANZAC spirit.

Born in 1917 and raised as a farmer in the rural community of Wagin, Joe ventured up to Perth to pursue his ambition of playing league football in the late 1930’s. He made a home at Swan Districts and in 1939, became the 94th player to make his league debut with the competition’s youngest club.

After two years of senior football, Joe heeded his country’s call to arms and joined the now famous 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion in October 1940. He was assigned to the 13 Platoon, D Company and left Australian shores with his comrades in 1941 to fight the war in South-East Asia.

Joe was wounded in action in 1942, but returned from shrapnel and burn wounds to re-join to his platoon and fight the famous battle of the fall of Singapore. Eventually he and the remaining members of his Platoon were captured, and Joe spent the remaining 3 years of the war as a POW of the Japanese. He spent 3 years in horrendous conditions incarcerated in Singapore and Thailand, including Singapore’s infamous Changhi Prison.

At wars end and upon his return to WA, Joe sought to resume his football career where it had left off. Although struggling with physical deterioration after 3 years in POW camps, Joe’s desire and resolve saw him break back into league ranks at Swan Districts in 1946, where he remained until his retirement in 1951 and a career tally of 91 league games in the WAFL.

The WAFL has a long and proud history and association with our country’s military service and Joe Pearce is a rare and unique treasure in our states rich heritage.

Today, Joe Pearce is 91 years of age and living in his original birthplace of Moulyinning, in the shire of Wagin. The Swan Districts Football Club will once again honour the unique service of Joe Pearce to both our competition and our country by hosting the fourth annual “Joe Pearce ANZAC Day Tribute Game” this Saturday at Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean.

A special pre-game tribute to commemorate ANZAC day, we be conducted before the league clash between Swan Districts and Perth.

Anzac Day tribute will include Sky Divers and the Variety Youth Choir.

Swan Districts Football Club is providing all RSL Members and children under 15 Free Entry for this match.  Come on down and enjoy a day at Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean this ANZAC Day.