Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ian Oliver Pitt was born 23 January 1920 in Waratah New South Wales. His father, Stewart James Pitt, who served in WW1 and Lena Claxton Pitt. Growing up the family lived at Langham Road, Model Farm, Baulkham Hill, New South Wales in the 1920s.

Ian married Gloria Dawne Mason in 1941 at Sutherland, New South Wales. They had three children Barry, Dawne and Colin. In 1943 he lived at 22 Waratah Street, Cronulla.

Prior to WW11 Ian was a fitter and worked at the Glass Works in Dowling Street, Sydney. He joined the RAAF in WW11 as a fitter and was a Leading Aircraftsman. He served in Borneo at Tarakan with the 75th Squadron.

In 1949 Ian and family lived at Farm 479 Colando (near Leeton NSW) where he was a sharefarmer until about 1956 when he became the caretaker of the Leeton Showgrounds. There he held various positions - Secretary of the Leeton Show Society (he was made a Life Member) and Secretary of the Leeton Trotting Club. In his time in Leeton, he was involved with the Leeton Redlegs Australian Rules Football Club (again a Life Member) and the Leeton Musical and Dramatics Society where he was a stage manager.

Missing out on a Return Service's farm after 22 years of trying, Ian, Gloria with youngest son Colin left Leeton in July 1968 and headed to Dapto. Ian had been appointed the Secretary of the Dapto Greyhound Society and Dapto Show Society. He remained in those roles until he retired in 1979.

Ian was only small in stature about 5’ 7” with dark hair. He was very quiet and reflective person with a sharp wit when he wished to use it. He also had a temper that could be triggered very quickly.

Ian and Gloria subsequently lived at 35 Penthouse Place, Batemans Bay, back to Dapto, then Canberra and finally lived with their daughter Dawne at Aureluen, New South Wales. He died on 4 September 2008 in Canberra Hospital, Australian Capital Territory, at the age of 88. He is buried at the Royal Pines Cemetery in Minchinbury, New South Wales.