Military History

 

The Australian 4^th Division was originally based on the Suez Canal in Egypt. After June 1916 the base was moved to Armentieres France. All 4^th Division troops were transported either to England or to Suez and re-embarked at Alexandria with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
Embarked Fremantle per ‘Omrah’  for England  24.1.1917.
Roll Rank Sapper.
Roll Unit 4^th Division Engineers, 4^th Division Signal Company, 10^th Reinf.
Pitts disembarked with the 4^th Div. Signallers at Plymouth 27.3.1917. They marched in to  Perham Downs 27.3.1917. He became sick at Perham Downs 27.3.1917 and admitted to Tidworth Hospital 28.3.1917. On recovery he was discharged to the Engineers Training Depot, Signallers Section at Perham Downs 3.5.1917. The Training Bn. proceeded overseas to France via Folkstone 19.7.1917. Pitts was taken on strength and transferred to 4^th Division Signallers 24.8.1917. The 4^th Divison was involved in the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917 and was moved in to the Somme in 1918. Pitts was transferred to Australian Corps Signal Coy. 21.3.1918. He disembarked at Southampton from France and reported to Sutton Veny.
Embarked for return to Australia per ‘Devenha’  8.5.1919.
Returned/ Disembarked 22.6.1919.
Discharged 30.7.1919.
Final Rank Sapper, Australian Signal Coy.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos Engineer Signallers from WA ready to embark for France. Western Mail 22.6.1917 p23
             4th Division Signal Engineers. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03272
             Polygon Wood, Australian soldiers on shell holes. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00783
Source of Information
AWM E03272. 4th Division Signal Engineers laying Communication Lines prior to the battle of. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00783. Polygon Wood, Australian soldiers on shell holes. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Pitts Henry Arthur
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Pitts Henry Arthur
Western Mail
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

 

Queens Rd. South Guildford. WA.

 

Associated Images