A Tunisian Odyssey

By research volunteer Paul J Treacy

Although we get dozens of enquiries requesting our help in researching previous members of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment there are not many who want to go to the site of a relative killed in North Africa. Lee Bovington is one of the few.

George was born on the 4th July 1922 to Percy Edward and Ada Mary Pearce of 157 Guinness Buildings, Shepherds Bush and was baptised three weeks later at St. Clements Church, City Rd., Islington, London.

Lee is related to George as a Great Nephew but knew little of his short life with the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers and wanted to find out more. This he decided would include a visit to the area in which George fought and a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves site where he is commemorated.

Currently we have no service records for George. Until they are released to Lee we have to rely on the 2nd Battalion’s histories, War Diary and maps to triangulate what the individuals service history might have looked like. We are unsure when George joined the Regiment but believe it to be early 1940 and it is unlikely that he served in France prior to the Dunkirk evacuation. His service number was  6481513.

The Battalion took on replacements when it returned from France and was stationed in various parts of the UK until their last posting to Hawick where they remained until November 1942 when the Battalion made ready to transfer to North Africa. George was to serve in ‘X’ Company.

Before leaving George married Elizabeth Wheeler in Islington during January 1943.

The Battalion left the Liverpool on the SS Cuba in early March 1943 and arrived in Algiers on the 26th March and moved into Tunisia taking frontline positions at Frenchman’s Hill near to Djebel Munchar on the 7/8th April. The Battalion slowly moved forward arriving at south of Medjez el Bab on the 21st April. On the night of the 23/24th April the Battalion were to take part in an action known as The Battle of Peter’s Corner. Within the next twenty-four hours George was killed in action. Lee believes that fellow Fusilier Wynn and L/Cpl Merry were also killed nearby. At about the same time the Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Brandon who had been with the Royal Fusiliers for some time, being the RSM, 1st Battalion in May 1939 before rapid promotion.

The Fusilier Museum was able to help in locating the Peter’s Corner, battle area from the war time map which shows similar road networks to the that of the present day. Sadly, George’s body was never recovered, and his death is acknowledged on column Face 15 at the Medjez al Bab Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

Following his death, the family received a letter from his Company Commander Captain Jarrad who also sustained minor wounds during the same engagement.

LEE’s PILGRIMAGE

Lee was unaware of George or that he been killed during the war, but when he found out promised his Grandmother that he would visit the area and pay his respects. This he did during March 2025. As well as visiting CWGC Medjez al Bab he also visited the CWGC site at Massicault. In the former he deposited earth taken from the Tower of London, the Royal Fusiliers Regiments home.

Lee was assisted in his visit by two members of the Tui team, Hamadi Zarrouk, his guide, and Ali, his driver; both were exceptional in their knowledge and planning of the visit, especially as it was during Ramadan. He also wishes to mention the three CWGC gardeners, whom he found humble and respectful.

The gardeners told Lee that Mohammed Akdar Ben Atiia, a local landowner, had given the land (formerly used as a field hospital) to build the Medjez el Bab cemetery in the area.

ONE OF MANY

Unfortunately, George Pearce was one of one hundred and six who were to be killed in North Africa whilst serving with the Second Battalion. In total three hundred and sixteen Officers and men died in this Battalion during the war with a further seven hundred and eighty-seven being wounded, missing or PoW’s.