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The WWI battlefield visit that brought Richard Marles to tears

The WWI battlefield visit that brought Richard Marles to tears

The defence minister’s grandfather was decorated for gallantry in World War I. On a recent visit to France, he found himself in the field where his grandfather’s courage helped win the war.

Matthew DrummondAFR Magazine editor
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Richard Marles’ strongest memories of his grandfather are of sitting with him and watching the cricket. He knew his grandfather, Percy Pearce, had fought in WWI, and had once been shown shrapnel scars on his leg. “But I didn’t know anything about how he had been injured,” the deputy prime minister says. “He didn’t talk about the war.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles with the photograph of his grandfather, Percy Pearce. James Brickwood

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Matthew Drummond
Matthew DrummondAFR Magazine editorMatthew Drummond edits AFR Magazine, our premium monthly inserted magazine that covers business, politics, fashion, design, food and wine, and is home to the Rich List, Young Rich List and the Power lists. Connect with Matthew on Twitter. Email Matthew at matthew.drummond@afr.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/the-wwi-battlefield-visit-that-brought-richard-marles-to-tears-20220927-p5blh9