Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Pitt Walter Ernest

Studio portrait of brothers, Sergeant (Sgt) Reginald John Lorkin Pitt (left) and 4573 Private (Pte) Walter Ernest Pitt, 12th Battalion. A labourer from Franklin, Tasmania, prior to enlistment, Pte Walter Pitt embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Warilda (A69) on 8 February 1916. Later in 1916 he transferred to the 52nd Battalion and was killed in action on 8 June 1917, aged 40. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Belgium. Reginald Pitt originally served as a Corporal with the Royal Australian Artillery in Tasmania. In 1909 and 1910 he attended the School of Gunnery in Sydney. In January 1911 he was provisionally promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Fremantle, WA, where he served with the regimental number 204 in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery (RAGA) and attained the rank of Sergeant Major.

Mrs. Pitt of Franklin has received the following letter from General Birdwood

"Dear Mrs. Pitt;-I have recently received a letter from your son, Company Sergeant-Major Pitt of Fremantle who asked if any details could be sent you regarding your other boy who was killed in action in June last. On the evening of the 8th June, during the battle of Messines, the 52nd Battalion to which your son belonged, was consolidating the position gained in the previous day's advance. He, with other members of his company, was in an outpost position in advance of the front line; he went forward in front of the post to reconnoitre and investigate some shell-holes, and had just turned to come back when he was struck by a bullet which was probably fired by an enemy sniper. His comrades at once brought stretcher-bearers but your son had succumbed to his wounds before they could reach the dressing station. He was buried on the battlefield by his comrades. I feel that you will like to know what an excellent and reliable soldier your son had proved himself to be. He had earned a reputation for bravery and coolness under very trying circumstances, and his work was specially valuable during the Messines fighting. His loss was much felt by all of his platoon, with whom he was very popular. You may well be proud of your gallant son and I trust it will be of some slight consolation to you in your grief to know how bravely and willingly he gave his life for King and country. With my kind regards and deep sympathy with you in your great loss.-Yours sincerely, W. N. Birdwood."

Copy of card received : -Major-General Sir H V. Cox, K.C.M.G., CB., O.S.F., commanding 4th Australian Division, congratulates No. 4573, Private W. E. Pitt, 52nd Battalion, 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, on his gallantry near Mouquet Farm, September 3 and 4, 1916.-H. V. Cox, Major-General.

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.