PITT, Robert Samuel
| Service Number: | 179 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry |
| Born: | Queensland, Australia, 14 April 1878 |
| Home Town: | Laidley, Lockyer Valley, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Soldier, Farmer |
| Died: | Queensland, Australia, 2 June 1966, aged 88 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Mount Gravatt Cemetery & Crematorium, Brisbane Plot: MON-4E-4-409 |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 179, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 179, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 448 notes 1st QMI embarked 1 Nov 1899 aboard Cornwall arriving Cape Town 13 Dec 1899. | |
| 25 Aug 1900: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 179, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier, notes invalided with Enteric Fever returned to Australia aboard Aberdeen arriving Brisbane 18 Aug 1900, discharged 25 Aud 1900. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
When Robert Samuel Pitt enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and his details were pulished with the rank and file in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, he was recorded as Private R. S. Pitt, single, Blenheim, via Laidley. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 1st QMI, Bk 1 p. 93, it is noted he directed part of his pay to Mrs. J. Pitt Sen. (his mother), Blenheim, via Laidley. He had an older sister with the same given name as his mother, Agnes. The paybooks note he was invalided from service and returned to Brisbane where he was discharged on 25 Aug 1900.
Robert Samuel Pitt was born on 14 Apr 1878 in Queensland, a son to James Pitt and Agnes Pitt (nee Hunter). He married Olive Victoira Alberta Frankling on 7 Apr 1904 in queensland and they had 4 children.
On his return from the war he continued his farming pursuits with an orchard at Sunnybank, Brisbane. He also continued with his military service with the 13th Australian Light Horse (Queensland Mounted Infantry) and by 1907 held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. In 1912 he was transferred to the 2nd Light Horse and rose to the rank of Captain in 1913.
In 1915 he attempted to enlist for WW1, however, was found medically unfit and instead was selected for Home Service serving at the Light Horse Remount Depot at Chermside. He was retired from service and granted the honary rank of Major with permission to wear the prescribed uniform on 1 Feb 1931.
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 452; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI, Bk 1 p. 93; Australian Boer War Memorial- database bio; National Archives Australia- Military Officers Record).