Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From François Berthout

Pte 171 Phillip George Pittaway
27th Australian Infantry Battalion, D Company,
7th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division,
 
In the fields of the Somme, peaceful and silent under the autumn sun, stand the graves of thousands of young men who stand proudly where they fell over a hundred years ago among thousands of their brothers in arms and comrades who, among the serene fields of poppies still waiting to be found and have no known graves, among them more than 72,000 British soldiers and 11,000 Australian soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield but who, in Thiepval and Villers-Bretonneux, in our hearts, have their names engraved for eternity.Gone but not and never forgotten, we will always watch over them with respect so that the memory of these young boys who patiently wait for us to put them in the light will never be forgotten, so that they can come back to life under the flame of remembrance that will never cease to shine and that we will always wear with respect to honor their memory.

Today, it is with the utmost respect and the deepest gratitude that I would like to honor the memory of one of these young men, one of my boys of the Somme who gave his today for our tomorrow.I would like to pay a very respectful tribute to Private number 171 Phillip George Pittaway who fought in the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion, D Company, 7th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division, and who was killed in action 105 years ago, on November 5, 1916 at the age of 26 on the Somme front.

Phillip George Pittaway was born on May 17, 1890 in Watchman, South Australia, and was the son of George Francis Pittaway (1849-1938) and Jane Pittaway (née Hunt, 1851-1914), of Balaklava, Wakefield, South Australia, and had seven brothers, Frederick George, William Francis, Robert Charles, Herbert Ernest Francis, Walter James, Thomas Wilfred Huxtable, Albert Hurtle and one sister, Edith Maud.Phillip was educated at the Erith School and before the outbreak of the war, was a member of the Salvation Army and worked as a labourer.
Phillip enlisted on January 14, 1915 in Oakland, South Australia, in the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion, D Company, and after a four month training period, he embarked with his unit from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on May 31, 1915 and sailed for Gallipoli.

On September 4, 1915, Phillip was disembarked in Gallipoli where with the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion he joined the MEF (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) and reinforced the weary New Zealand and Australian Division. The 27th had a relatively quiet time at Gallipoli and the battalion departed the peninsula in December, having suffered only light casualties then were sent to Egypt.
On January 10, 1916, Phillip arrived in Egypt and was disembarked in Alexandria then two months later, on March 15, alongside the men of the 27th Battalion, joined the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) and embarked from Alexandria then proceeded overseas for France.

After a little less than a week of an uneventful journey on the Mediterranean Sea, Phillip arrived in France and was disembarked at Marseilles on March 21, 1916 and the following month, with the 27th Battalion, entered the trenches for the first time in Armentieres on April 7 where they fought until the end of June then were sent to Belgium and joined the trenches of Messines on July 1 then on July 12, embarked by train from Wizernes for the battlefields of the Somme and arrived in Saleux, near Amiens the next day.

After arriving in Saleux on July 13, 1916 during the great Somme offensive, Phillip and the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion joined Bertangles where they were billeted until July 20 then marched for Toutencourt which they reached on July 21 and Warloy-Baillon on July 23 where they remained until July 26 then marched through Albert then La Boisselle and on July 28, occupied the trenches and dugouts at "Sausage Gully" from where they led an attack towards the German position called OG1 but at the cost of terrible losses, however Phillip survived the attack and on July 29 he was sent alongside his comrades in support line in the trenches of Pozieres where they remained until August 5 when the battalion carried out a last attack in the left of Bapaume Road to take the Windmill which they captured then were relieved by the 48th Australian Infantry Battalion on August 6 but from July 28 to August 5, 1916, the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion lost 40 men killed in action, 289 wounded and 67 missing.

After the first terrible fighting at Pozieres which was, for the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion and the Australian Imperial Force the first major engagement on the Somme front, Phillip and his battalion were sent to Albert then to Bouzincourt where they were billeted until August 10 then marched to Rubempre where they had a period of rest and training but on August 15, they left for the front and marched through Vadencourt, Albert, La Boisselle and joined "Avoca Valley" and on August 24, entered the trenches of Mouquet Farm and were relieved on August 31.

In September 1916, Phillip and the 27th Australian Infantry Battalion, exhausted, were sent to Kenora Camp in Steenvoorde (Hauts-De-France) where they alternated between period of rest, reorganization and training and on October 5, were sent to Belgium in the salient of Ypres where they relieved the 19th Australian Infantry Battalion and on October 27, returned to the Somme, at Dernancourt then joined Montauban on November 3 where they relieved the 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion then joined the front line at Flers on November 4 where unfortunately , the next day, November 5, 1916, during an attack led by the 27th Battalion against the German lines at Flers, he was one of the only men of his battalion to reach the German trenches but was killed with his rifle still in his hands, he was 26 years old.

Sadly, Phillip's body was never found and it is very likely that he was buried behind German lines at Flers but today his name is remembered and honored with respect and gratitude on the walls of the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, Somme, alongside the names of 10,885 Australian soldiers who fought and fell in the Somme and northern France but who have no known graves.

After Phillip's death, his obituary was published in "The Wooroora Producer" on December 14, 1916 as follows:
"Private P. G. Pittaway of the 27th Battalion, was killed in action on November 5 last. He was the youngest son of Mr. G. F. Pittaway, of Erith, and has five brothers, four of whom are still resident in this district. His sister is Mrs. J. C. Reid, of near Balaklava. The departed hero was born at Watchman, and was 26 years old. He sailed from Australia in May, 1915, and, after a period in Egypt, was sent on to Gallipoli, where he was slightly wounded. Returning to Egypt, he was despatched thence to France about July, 1916, to fight later on in the great Somme offensive. He was always as boy and young man greatly respected.At the Methodist service at Erith on Sunday last the Rev. F. Bullock made reference to the death of Private Pittaway."

On December 21, 1916, another article was published in "The Wooroora Producer" as follows:
"On Sunday evening there was a large congregation at the Church of Christ Balaklava, the occasion being a memorial service for the late Privates D. F. Swan and P. G. Pittaway, who were recently killed whilst on active service. The preacher was the pastor, Mr. Will Beiler. The service opened with the "Dead March," on the organ. Mr. O. H. Finlayson officiating. The Union Jack and the Australian flags were suspended over the platform, and upon the Union Jack which covered the reading desk were the colors of the battalion to which the deceased soldiers belonged. Mr. Beiler referred in appropriate and impressive words to the lives of the deceaseds and to their connection with the church. He expressed the deep sympathy which was felt with the parents and relatives of the soldiers, but their lives had been given for their country's sake. In the deepest bereavement there was that consoling knowledge that their lives had been sacrificed in the great fight for the preservation of Christianity, freedom, and civilisation. Than that, no sacrifice could be more heroic and noble. Miss Esther Curtis sang the well-known hymn, "He Died of a Broken Heart." which was a favorite with Private Swan. Mr. Beiler's evangelistic address was on the theme of the Christian Soldier. The choir rendered the anthem "What are These." Captain Gladman, was present in the congregation."

On January 4, 1917, a small tribute was published in "The Advertiser" as follows:
"PITTAWAY.—In loving memory of Private P. G. Pittaway, who was killed in action on November 5, 1916.
His King and country called him,
The call was not in vain;
On Britain's roll of honor
You'll find dear Philip's name.
inserted by his sorrowing brother and sister in-law, A. H., H. M. Pittaway.

Years later, in 1936, two new articles were published in "The Wooroora Producer", here is the first dated July 30, 1936:
"Arbor Day at Erith, at the Erith school's Arbor Day tomorrow, commencing at 1:30 p.m., Mr A W Robinson, M P., will address the gathering. Rev R H Davidson will dedicate a tree to the memory of the late Pte. P G Pittaway, a former scholar of the school, and Mr C A F Thompson will open the water supply. There will be children's items and afternoon tea, and all old scholars and friends are cordially invited."

The Wooroora Producer, Thursday 6 August 1936:
"Simple Ceremony at Erith Arbor Day,
The committee of the Erith school chose their annual Arbor Day as the most suitable occasion for the dedication of a tree to the memory of a former scholar, the late Pte. P G Pittaway, who was killed in action at Flers on November 5th, 1916. Mrs J Reid, a sister of the late Pte. Pittaway, was among the forty parents and friends present. Perfect weather was experienced, and the number of visitors who attended evinced keen interest in the school and its scholars. Mr C A F Thompson, chairman of the committee, presided, and welcomed the parents and visitors after the singing of the Song of Australia. Part songs and recitations were given by the scholars, the head teacher, Mr G H Charlesworth, leading. Mr A W Robinson, M.P., addressed the gathering, and presented prizes for pastel work to Lyall Thompson, Murray Hoare and Gwenda and Beryl Wedding. The actual work was judged by Mr Robinson and Rev R H Davidson.Recently the committee, through the generosity of Mr Thompson, have been enabled to install a water supply in the grounds, and this was declared open by the man who made it possible. Mr Charlesworth expressed his thanks to the visitors and the donors of trees, Messrs R I Herriot and Hackett Ltd, and then supervised the planting, which was done by Mr Thompson, Mr H Masters, Rita Wedding, Keith May, Ross Rundle, Arnold Treloar and Florrie Klingner.In a few simple words, Rev Davidson dedicated the Kurrajong tree in the grounds to the memory of the late Pte. Pittaway, and read a letter from Mr T Playford, M.P., describing the manner in which he met his death. With his rifle smashed in his hands, Pittaway was the only one of a whole battalion to reach the objective aimed for. The Recessional was sung and Mr C Sampson sounded the Last Post. Rita Wedding presented a posy of violets to Mrs Reid, on whose behalf Mr Masters spoke. A vote of thanks to the speakers was seconded by Mr M Rundle. Mr F Partridge gave oranges to the children and afternoon tea was served in Mr Masters' barn."

Phillip, it was in the prime of your life and with a heart full of hope and dreams that under the flag of Australia you took a step forward with determination to serve your country and do your bit, your part in the battlefields of the great war alongside your brothers in arms and your pals who marched side by side with bravery on the red sand of Gallipoli and the blackened mud of the battlefields of the Somme behind the bugles and bagpipes which guided a whole generation of men towards their destinies and who, confident, their heads held high, gave their today for peace and freedom and who, with the ardor of their youth, with faith in the future moved forward through the fields of poppies on which flowed the blood of so many young boys who wanted to live and who believed that war would be the greatest adventure of their lives but through barbed wire, under shells and poison gas they discovered brutality and inhumanity of the war in which they sacrificed their youth, the best years of their lives which they left behind in the warmth of their homes, in the love of their families and which, in blood and fire, under rains of bullets discovered the darkness and the death, the sufferings and the tears, the weight of a world in flame which they carried on their shoulders with courage so that this war puts an end to all the wars. Shoulder to shoulder they stood with an exceptional determination that nothing broke, their courage was never overwhelmed by the hailstones of lead and steel that thousands of mouths of fire spit out behind the shrill whistling of thousands of shells which, at a relentless rhythm hammered and pulverized bruised floors and which, under the steel bites, shattered the bodies and the souls of these young boys who had no protection, who had nowhere to run or hide to escape in this hell in which they sacrificed so much but which, in mateship and camaraderie, found the strength to hold the front line, to live one more day, they found in each other the courage to go over the top to face the fire of machine guns, mortars and grenades which rained all around them in the smell of blood and death which mowed down a whole generation of heroes who in Amiens, Villers-Bretonneux, Pozieres, served and fought together with pride.Guided by their officers who were the first to fall under the bursts of fire, they charged bayonets forward alongside the tanks, monsters of heavy and slow steel which crushed the enemy trenches under the metallic clicks of their caterpillars which drowned out the sound of the warplanes that hovered above them and crashed into fireballs in the mud where so many young Diggers fell, caught too early in barbed wire and drowned in shell holes, they did their duty with loyalty beyond the bravery that a man can show and found on the sacred grounds of the Somme their last resting places between which poppies grow but thousands were not found and yet they are there, they stand young and proud in the silence and the peace for which they gave their lives and in which I would always watch over them with the highest respect, with love and care so that they are never forgotten, behind their names they will live forever for what they are and what they will always be through my eyes and in my heart, my heroes, my boys of the Somme, our sons whose memories I will always keep strong and alive so that they live forever. Our Diggers, Australia and the Australian people, in the Somme and in our hearts will always have all our love, respect and gratitude and through the love I have for these young men, this is also the friendship that unites Australia and France that I want to honor by bowing with respect in front of you to express my gratitude to you.Thank you so much Phillip,with all my heart,for everything. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,we will remember him,we will remember them.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

The Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA: 1909 - 1940) Thursday 14 December 1916

PRIVATE P. G. PITTAWAY.

Private P. G. Pittaway of the 27th Battalion, was killed in action on November 5 last. He was the youngest son of Mr. G. F. Pittaway, of Erith, and has five brothers, four of whom are still resident in this district. His sister is Mrs. J. C. Reid, of near Balaklava. The departed hero was born at Watchman, and was 26 years old. He sailed from Australia in May, 1915, and, after a period in Egypt, was sent on to Gallipoli, where he was slightly wounded. Returning to Egypt, he was despatched thence to England about July, 1916, to fight later on in the great Somme offensive. He was always as boy and young man greatly respected.

At the Methodist service at Erith on Sunday last the Rev. F. Bullock made reference to the death of Private Pittaway.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207102741

The Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA: 1909 - 1940) Thursday 21 December 1916

SOLDIER'S MEMORIAL SERVICE.

On Sunday evening there was a large congregation at the Church of Christ Balaklava, the occasion being a memorial service for the late   Privates D. F. Swan and P. G. Pittaway, who were recently killed whilst on active service. The preacher was the pastor, Mr. Will Beiler. The service opened with the   "Dead March," on the organ. Mr. O. H. Finlayson officiating. The Union Jack and the Australian flags were suspended over the platform, and upon the Union Jack which covered the reading desk were the colors of the battalion to which the deceased soldiers belonged. Mr. Beiler referred in appropriate and impressive words to the lives of the deceaseds and to their connection with the church. He expressed the deep sympathy which was felt with the parents and relatives of the soldiers, but their lives had been given for their country's sake. In the deepest bereavement there was that consoling knowledge that their lives had been sacrificed in the great fight for the preservation of Christianity, freedom, and civilisation. Than that, no sacrifice could be more heroic and noble. Miss Esther Curtis sang the well-known hymn, "He Died of a Broken Heart." which was a favorite with Private Swan. Mr. Beiler's evangelistic address was on the theme of the Christian Soldier. The choir rendered the anthem "What are These." Captain Gladman, was present in   the congregation.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207102808

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Thursday 4 January 1917

DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE

PITTAWAY.—In loving memory of Private P. G. Pittaway, who was killed in action on November 5, 1916.

His King and country called him, 

The call was not in vain;

On Britain's roll of honor

You'll find dear Philip's name.

—inserted by his sorrowing brother and sister in-law, A. H., H. M. Pittaway.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5549942