No.523165, Pioneer, Harry Pitches
Aged 23
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Harry Pitches was born in Exning (Newmarket Q3-1894 3b:491], to Harry and Mary Ann PITCHES (née JOHNSON), of 10 New Row, Exning. 1901 census...Aged 6, he was at 10 New Row, Exning with his father Harry PITCHES [34] a domestic gardener, and his mother Mary A [35]. All were Exning born. 1911 census...Aged 16, a cycle errand boy, he was at the Causeway, Burwell with his father who was now a cycle agent, and his mother. The Special Companies of the Royal Engineers were involved in the British Army's gas warfare operations. Not always popular as they instigated the gas attacks and then withdrew, leaving the retaliatory barrage to fall upon their trench dwelling chums. |
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Amazingly around 30 odd pages of his records were recovered, hence: Enlisted in 3/1st Cambridgeshires 10th May, 1915, in Cambridge. He gave his age as 21, occupation as cycle repairman. Height 5feet 5.5 inches (166.4 cm). He remained in England until 10th March, 1916 then went to France, joining the Battalion on 23rd March. He was transferred to 1/1st Cambridgeshires 11 March, 1916 , the day he signed his will giving his mother as testatee. On 13th July 1916 he received a wound to his hand which kept him off duty for 8 days.Then on 7th October 1916 he was wounded in the left leg and thigh, taken to 100 Field Hospital and then to 29 C.C.S. at Gezaincourt and thence to No 3 Stationary Hospital, Boulgone on 9th Oct. to be brought back to UK on MS "St Andrew". He was then taken to Norfolk War Hospital at Thorpe where he was treated from 9th Oct to 18th November, 1916. He then moved on to Swainsthorpe until 30th December 1916. He was transferred to the Royal Engineers on 15th July 1917, and in September he managed to get 4 days confined to barracks for overstaying a pass whilst at Dunstable. On 18th September 1917 he joined the Special Brigade and was sent back to France on 18th November 1917. He was wounded by a shell burst on the 13th December 1917, but as these units were somewhat nomadic a war diary is unlikely to be found detailing where. He succumbed to his wounds (concussion to the head) on 20th December 1917 at No 20 C.C.S (Boisleux au Mont, 2-3 km from the cemetery where he rests, just south of Arras). |
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