Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Edmund Charles Peirse was born in 1892 as the oldest son of late Admiral Sir Richard Peirse, K.C.B.. K.B.E. He married the first time in 1915, had a son and a daughter, but marriage was later dissolved. He married for the second time with Jessie Auchinleck, daughter of late Alexander Stewart of Innerhadden, Perthshire.
He was educated at Monkton Combe School, H.M.S. Conway and Kings College, London.
Served in the Great War in 1914-1918 (Distinguished Service Order, Air Force Cross).
After the war he was a Deputy Director of Operations and Intelligence, Air Ministry 1930-1933, an Air Officer commanding the British Forces in Palestine and Transjordan in 1933-1936 and a Deputy Chief of Air Staff in 1937-1940.
He became a Member of Air Council in 1939, a Vice-Chief of Air Staff in 1940 and an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Bomber Command in 1940-1942.
Later became an Air Officer Commanding, India in 1942-1943 and Allied Air Commander-in-Chief, South East Asia Command in 1943-1944.
Placed (retired) on reserve list in 1945.
He died on 5 August 1970.
His awards and titles include the Knight Commander of the Bath, created in 1940 (Companion of the (Order of the) Bath 1936), Distinguished Service Order 1915, Air Force Cross, Order of Polonia Restituta 1942, Knight Grand Cross of Orange Nassau 1943, Commander Legion of Merit (United States), Special Necklet, Cloud and Banner, China and late R.A.F awards.