Pitt J M Lt 1st Dorset Regiment
LIEUTENANT & ADJUTANT J. M. PITT 1ST BATTALION THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT
JAMES MAXWELL PITT was the youngest son of Colonel William Pitt, Royal Engineers, of Fairseat House, near Wrotham, Kent, and of Mary James his wife.
He entered the School in 1902, and left in 1906, entering the R.M.C., Sandhurst, in 1907. He was gazetted to his Battalion in 1908, and became Scout Officer and Assistant Adjutant.
He crossed to the seat of War about August 13th, and was present at Mons, in all the actions of the retreat, and at the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne. He was used, constantly, in scouting and reconnoitring. He was gazetted Adjutant on October Ist.
He was killed in action near Béthune and La Bassée, when his Battalion lost 400 men, killed and wounded. As Adjutant he was with his Colonel encouraging the men who were in difficulties in the trenches. The Germans came up on three sides, and the Dorsets were left unsupported. In the last trench only the Colonel and Lieutenant Pitt and six men were left. The two officers fired on the advancing Germans with rifles taken from dead men. They all agreed not to surrender, and finally the Colonel was wounded and Lieutenant Pitt was killed, on October 13th, 1914. Age 26.
His Colonel said:-
He was the finest officer in the Battalion: in the terrible last hour he was magnificent. In his service he did more than well. He did as well as any man could do.”
A brother Officer wrote:-
“You can at least feel that he achieved absolutely every success possible in so short a life.”
Source : Memorials Of Rugbeians Who Fell In The Great War Vol 1
Pitt J M Lt 1st Dorset Regiment
Source : The Sphere 31st Oct 1914