James Pitts (VC) explained

James Pitts
Birth Date:26 February 1877
Death Date:18 February 1955 (aged 77)
Birth Place:Blackburn, Lancashire
Death Place:Blackburn
Placeofburial:Blackburn Cemetery, Blackburn
Rank:Corporal
Branch: British Army
Unit:The Manchester Regiment
Battles:Second Boer War
Awards: Victoria Cross
Meritorious Service Medal

James Pitts VC MSM (26 February 1877  - 18 February 1955) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Pitts was 22 years old, and a private in the 1st Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed in Natal took place for which he and Private Robert Scott were awarded the VC: He later achieved the rank of corporal and served in World War I[1] He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1918.

The Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Manchesters, Ashton-under-Lyne, England.

In 2019, a plaque in his honour was unveiled at Blackburn town hall.[2]

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: James Pitts VC . Cotton Town - Blackburn with Darwen . Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council . 13 November 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110615063233/http://www.cottontown.org/page.cfm?pageid=4623&language=eng . 15 June 2011 .
  2. News: Athey . Neil . War hero commemorated with town hall plaque . 19 August 2022 . Lancashire Telegraph . 1 June 2019 . en.