Name
Ernest James Pitchess
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/04/1917
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
809165
Canadian Infantry
50th Bn., Alberta Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIMY MEMORIAL
France
UK & Other Memorials
Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of George and Charlotte (nee DRURY) PITCHESS of Gananoque, Ontario.
His parents married 1878 in the St Pancras, London, district. Charlotte travelled from Liverpool to Quebec 3rd class 4 November 1922 aboard White Star Canada; she died 19 October 1935 aged 77 at Gananoque and was buried there 21 October.
Ernest was born 6 January 1886 in Kentish Town, London, and baptised 21 February 1886 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Kentish Town. He emigrated to Canada 7 June 1904 aboard the Lake Erie: a labourer aged 19 of Watford, going to Montreal. He was unmarried.
On the 1891 Census, aged 5 he lived in Islington, London, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1901 Census, a colour marker aged 15, he still lived in Islington, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, he is in Canada.
Wartime Service
He attested 29 April 1916 at High River, Canada: a farmer aged 30, 5’3″ tall, unmarried, Methodist; next-of-kin his mother of Watford. He was killed in action in an attack north-west of Vimy.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
