Gilbert Charles Pitman

Story:
Gilbert Charles Pitman was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 3 Sep 1896 and baptised there on 18 Oct 1896 the son of Lot Pitman and Mary Ann Pitman (nee Adams).  He lived his early life at The Kennels, Donedge Lodge Farm, Motcombe.  He enlisted on the 11 Aug 1914 and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 9940).  He served with the 5th Battalion in France and Flanders, He later transferred to the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment (Service No. 47528).   He had served in the Balkans area, including Gallipoli, Turkey, from 20 Sep 1915 and had suffered from gunshot wounds and was discharged on 23 Aug 1918 as 'being no longer physically fit for service'.  He received the Silver War Badge No. B2007 as well as a small pension.  He was later also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.   He married Helena (Lena) Durdle in Cranbourne, Dorset, on 25 Nov 1919.  The 1921 Census shows him living at West Lodge, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, working as a Gardener and by the time of the 1939 Register had moved to 'Capri', Keble Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire, described as a Head Gardener.  His death was recorded at the Winchester, Hampshire, Registry, in 1969.