Private, Regimental number: 6724 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7854 – 50, Item: 57960, PDF: B7854-SO50.  Date of Birth 25/04/1886 at Portsmouth, England. Married to Olive Pitt at Portsmouth, England in 1908 and she came to Canada with Fred in 1911 who was   living at 141 Adelaide St. South, Chatham, ON. An electrical wireman (electrician). Served  two years Naval Volunteer and one year with the 3^rd Hants Volunteers. In 1915 Olive and her son Fred Carman Jr. were living at 119 West St., Chatham and moved again to 78 Wellington St. East, Chatham. They would add two daughters to the family after Fred returned, names unknown.

Previous enlistment with the 24^th Kent Regt., Chatham. Taken oath 19/09/14. Attestation: 22/09/1914 at Valcartier, PQ.  to 1st Bn. CEF.  Age 28 years, 4 months. Height: 5’ 7”, Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Dark, Church of England. Arrived at Valcartier 22/08/14. Small round scar right side of abdomen. Reported “Medically fit” at Valcartier, PQ 

Pte. Frederick L. Pitt left Chatham August 22nd 1914, with the 1st Contingent.  Sailed from Quebec City aboard the S.S. Laurentis, sailed 3/10/14 for England.  Trained at Salisbury Plains until February 1915. About March 1, 1915, he was wounded in the right shoulder, and was returned to England, being admitted to Hospital at Folkstone, and two months later sent to Shorncliffe, where he was attached to the staff.

Frederick was reported Wounded in Action (WIA), a gunshot wound to his right shoulder 12/03/15. 5/03/15 arrived at Clearing Hospital. 6/03/15 transfer to No.14 Boulonge. 31/03/15 reported at RAMC – Military Hospital,  England. 11/04/15 – Transferred to 5^th South General Hospital – Shorncliffe he was also suffering from “Trench-Foot”. Was discharged 21/04/15.   

Pte. Pitt was reported at Moore Barracks Cdn. Hq., suffering from Influenza from 20/12/15 to 23/12/15.

Fred found himself in trouble for being IIlegally absent 30/04/16 to 23/05/16 and was also absent from his “military kit” He was libel for the cost of the missing kit ($26.75) and 56 days of detention.

11/11/16 with the 36^th Battalion in France. It was reported that he was suffering from Bronchitis. 

From May-August 1916 he was in the Military Hospital, West Sandling with fever.

In the winter of 1916 he returned to France, and in February suffered from shell shock. He received treatment in King George Hospital, London, for three months being then returned to Bramshott for further training.  To 1^st Bn. CEF. Reported requesting leave CDP 18/07/17 after three years at the front. Not granted.

He returned to France April 29th 1918 and joined the 1st Batt, reported missing Aug 30th 1918 and wounded by Shrapnel right arm and left leg, reported prisoner in France and Belgium Oct. 14th 1918 until Oct. 27th when he was taken Gesseon Camp, Germany.  30/08/18 Frederick was WIA and Missing. It would later be reported that he was a POW at Gesseon Camp at Dulmea, Westphalia in Germany from 14/10/18 to 29/10/18 He would be repatriated at the conclusion of hostilities and sent to King George Hospital , Stanford St.. Transferred to C.C. Bearwood awaiting transport to Canada.

It is at this time Fredrick got into his worst trouble. Canadian troops were put up at Kinmel Park in Wales in Bodelwyddan near Abergele. And through the remainder of 1918 and into 1919 there were 13 incidents of ‘unrest’ between the soldiers and the authorities. Fredrick was charged with “Joining a Mutany”, and was sentenced to two years detention at Aldershot, Whitley. It was reduced later to one year.

Private Pitt was repatriated Dec. 3rd, 1918 and arrived at Metz Dec. 7th where he was admitted to an American Hospital then stayed 8 days #43 Stationary Hospital at Charms, France then to #19 King George Hospital. After treatment was sent to Bearwood Military Hospital then to Witley and Rhyl.

As he was wounded twice and a POW he was returned to Canada from Rhyl 26/03/1919 arriving at St. John 9/04/1919. He was Discharged 11 April, 1919 due to demobilizatio 

He arrived at St. John April 9, 1919.

Discharged April 11, 1919 due to demobilization.

Frederick L. Pitt passed away 19 April, 1949.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

Chatham Daily Planet (13-03-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (16-03-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (08-05-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (23-01-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (18-07-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (02-10-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (12-10-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (16-12-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (19-02-1918), Chatham Daily News (12-04-1919)

Height	5'6"
Eye Colour	Hazel
Age	28 years 4 mths
Complexion	Dark
Hair	Dark
Race	White
Birthplace	25/04/1886 at Portsmouth, England.
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	Hydro Electric Road
Average Earnings	$ 2.00 per day and Board
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	June 15th, 1908, Portsmouth, England.
When Enlisted	August 11st, 1914
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$ 20.50 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Olive May Pitt, Chatham. Children- Maud Pitt, Ivy Pitt, Fredrick Pitt.

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