Joseph Henry Pitman

Story:
Joseph Henry Pitman was born in Motcome, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 27 Aug 1880 and baptised there on 22 Sep 1880 the son of Walter Pitman, a carpenter, and Sarah Adelaide Pitman (nee Bugden).  Walter lived all his early life in Bittles Green, Motcombe, and later served with the 74th and 99th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery in India prior to WW1.  Sometime before the outbreak of war he emigrated to Australia where he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 5 Feb 1915 and joined the Australian Field Artillery as a Gunner (later Driver) (Service No. ES/58850) serving in Gallipoli and France & Flanders.  On 6 Sep 1919 he transferred to the Australian Service Corps (S/10000) and was classified as a Baker until his discharge on 7 Sep 1920 in England.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He returned to Australia in 1921 and lived at Hillside, Foley Street, Muswellbrook, New South Wales.  He married Eileen Agatha Hogan in Mayfield, New South Wales, in 1929.   His death was recorded in 1963 and he was buried in Muswellbrook Cemetery on 23 Oct 1963.