Name
Edgar Pettitt
1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/03/1915
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/4962
Rifle Brigade
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
STRAND MILITARY CEMETERY
VIII. R. 3.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
HE DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY NOW ASLEEP IN CHRIST
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Memorial, Hemel Hempstead, St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Boxmoor
Pre War
Edgar Pettit was born on 6 December 1883 in Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, the son of Arthur and Martha Pettitt, and one of three children. On the 1901 Census the family were living at 28 Cotterells Road, Boxmoor, when his father was working as a wine merchant's cellarman and Edgar and his brother Sydney were working as clerks at the local paper factory, John Dickinson & Co. His sister Ethel was listed as a School Teacher (otherwise known as a Monitor), although only 14 years of age, which suggests she was a bright child who helped the Headmaster.
Edgar was educated at Boxmoor school from 17 June 1889 and achieved all six Standards of Education by the time he left in April 1897 (an achievement not attained by all children) and joined John Dickinson & Co. as a clerk.
On 20 January 1902, aged 20, he enlisted into the Imperial Yeomanry under reg. no. 43328 at St Albans, Herts, having already been in the 2nd (Hertfordshire) Voluntary Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, and served in South Africa from 27 May 1902 to 6 January 1903. but was discharged on 19 January 1903 as a consequence of the expiration of his service.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war he volunteered in London in August 1914, serving in the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade and went to France on 23 November 1914. (according to Medal Record index card).
A letter which Edgar wrote to his mother on 14 December 1914, and found in his pocket after his death, was reported in the local newspaper on 10 April 1915. He described the fierce fighting and many lives being sacrificed on all sides. He said "We are living underground, in dug-outs and trenches. Mud is six inches or more in depth, and water is very deep in the trenches in which we are fighting. ..... At present the Germans are attacking and there is a tremendous cannonade going on. I am under covering writing this, possibly it may be my last, but please remember that if I should die out here you may have the consolation of knowing that I have died a glorious death, performing a duty I am proud to perform, namely for King and Country. May the great God above give me health and strength to do my little bit. At present I am thinking of that beautiful hymn which I have so often sung in the old Church at Boxmoor. 'Nearer, my God, to Thee'. ...... Please say good-bye to all kind friends. I have found many in dear old England and am please to die for the folks at home."
By 18 March 1915 the Battalion were at St Yves, north of Armentieres, Belgium and were subjected to 'some shelling and sniping and a good many rifle grenades fired by the Germans', He died on 23 March 1915 from wounds received in action, age 30, and is buried in the Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium. He had previously been buried in another location with three other Riflemen from the Rifle Brigade and was exhumed and reinterred in January 1920.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs M A Pettitt, 28 Cotterills Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, ordered his headstone inscription: "HE DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY NOW ASLEEP IN CHRIST". His mother received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £5 13s. She also received a pension, probably of 5 shillings a week, although records are unclear.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.dacorumheritage.org.uk, www.hemelheroes.com.
