Another brave Wivenhoe person

William Horace Pitt-.D.C.M.  M.M.

Born Wivenhoe June 2nd 1895, Son of William and Edith Pitt of Hamilton Villa ,Wivenhoe.

William's Father was chief cook on board H.M.Y Rosabelle on patrol service in the North Sea.

William Joined the Essex Regiment s/n. 16595 on 3rd Sept. 1914 ; served with the Expeditionary force in France and Flanders from July,1915;appointed Colonel's Bugler,and later acting Bandmaster and died March 31st,1918,of wounds received in action the same day,while advancing as stretcher-bearer with the rest of the Band to the aid  of the wounded. Buried where he fell .

He was an excellent musician ,and with the support of some of the officers, in order to purchase instruments and music, he formed a band, and was appointed temporary Bandmaster in January 1915; in the following June he conducted the massed bands of the division on Salisbury Plain before His Majesty King George, when a march of his own composition was performed, and he received commendation.   He was awarded the M.M. for gallant conduct in the field on January 31st.1916 also the D.C.M. for distinguished bravery.

 CWGC shows Sgt H W Pitt but it is undoubtedly the same man.

Thanks . I don't have your name. John Admin.