Name
Hubert Samuel Fitt
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/12/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/67931
The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION
IV. H. 4.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Tilehouse St Baptist Church War Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, St Faith's Church War Memorial, Walsworth, We are not aware of any Charlton memorial
Pre War
Hubert was the son of Herbert and Emily Fitt. He was born in 1899 in Hitchin, believed more accurately Charlton, near Hitchin and was baptised on 30 April 1899 in Christ Church, Crouch End, North London and at that time his parents were recorded as living at 42 Shrubbery Road, West Green Road, Christ Church, Crouch End.
In 1901 the family were living at Hermitage Road, Hitchin – probably no. 54. Present were both parents: Herbert (27) and Emily (27), with Herbert and working as a house painter and journeyman. Their only child was Hubert (2).
By 1911 the family were living at 6 Crispin Terrace, Union Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Herbert still working as a house painter. The census recorded they had been married for 13 years with 4 children all living. Hubert was still present and now had siblings: Walter E (9), Arthur W (6) and Dorothy V (4).
Probably conscripted around March 1917.
Wartime Service
From his medals, and to a lessor extent his age, it is known that he did not go to France until after the start of 1916
Some medical records for Hubert have been found and appear below. The age and service lengths recorded for him have some inconsistencies but suggests that he had enlists – more likely conscripted around March to May 1917 and had been overseas from around March 1918.
He was in the 11th Bn. Royal West Surrey Regiment with the service number G/67931.
He was admitted to 139th Field Ambulance Hospital suffering from influenza (perhaps Spanish Flu) on 25 June 1918 and was recorded as 20 (probably 19) years of age and having served for 1 year and 5 months, 3 months of which had been in the Field.
He next admitted to 139th Field Ambulance Hospital suffering from an injury to his right hand on 6 September 1918, and was recorded a 19 years of age and having served for 1 year a 6 months, 6 months of which had been in the Field.
He was admitted to 139th Field Ambulance Hospital – believed correct - suffering from NYD nervous (Not Yet Diagnosed) on 4 December 1918, and was recorded a 19 years of age and having served for 1 year a 6 months, 8 months of which had been in the Field.
He was recorded as dying on the following day of influenza (Spanish Flu).
He was initially buried in Sarlardinge Churchyard near Grammont but was later moved to Plot 4, Row H, Grave 4 in the Tournai Communal Allied Cemetery in Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death there appears to be an 11d recharge and later 4s 1d was authorised 2 January 1920.
to go to his widow/father/mother xx on 15 March 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to him/her, on 7 November 1919.
His pension cards records Emily Fitt, his mother, as his next of dependant, living at 8 Wootten Terrace, Walsworth, near Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 5s a week from 17 June 1919.
At least one obituary was placed in the local papers, and one appeared on the Herts Express on 6 December 1919.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
