William John Pitman

Story:
William John Pitman was born in Motcombe, Dorset, on 3 Nov 1889 and baptised there on 15 Dec 1889 the son of John Pitman and Mary Ann Pitman (nee Phillips).  His mother died in 1898. He spent his early life in Motcombe until, by 1911, the family had moved to Semley Green, Semley, Wiltshire.  He enlisted with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 647).  He served in Egypt from 22 Apr 1915 eventually combining with the Corps of Hussars with new Service No. 230082.  Whilst there he received multiple gun shot wounds and was finally discharged on 6 Apr 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 460887 and a Life Pension.  He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.   The 1921 Census shows him living with his widowed father back in Semley working as a Produce Dealer in Eggs and Poultry (on own account). He married Ethel Mary Maslin in Westbury, Wiltshire, during 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Church Cottage, Semley Green, Semley, Wiltshire, still working as an Egg and Poultry Producer as well as being a Volunteer Auxiliary Fireman.  He died in Semley on 29 Jul 1961.  His twin brother, Stanley George Pitman, served but was regrettably killed in action. His two other brothers, Hubert Morgan Pitman and Harold Arthur Pitman, both served and survived.