Name
Colin Keith Lee Pyman (DSO)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/08/1918
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
Canadian Infantry
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Distinguished Service Order and Bar, Mentioned in Despatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MILITARY CEMETERY
IIIA. BB. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
He was the third son of Frank and Florence Pyman of 50, Ave Road, St. John's Wood, London. He was educated at Dover College and emigrated before the war to become a fruit farmer at Kelowa in Canada. Initially he enlisted into the British Columbian Horse.
Wartime Service
After enlistment he went to Valcartier Camp where he was commissioned into the Canadian Cavalry. Later he transferred to the 5th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry and in June 1915 went to France. He was wounded in November 1915 and sent to the UK. to recover, returning to France in May 1916. He was wounded again a few weeks later.
After recovering from his wounds he was temporarily made a Brigade Major in a UK. Depot and did not return to France until December 1917.
His D.S.O. was gazetted on the 15th October 1918 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer was in charge of a raiding party of considerable importance and the success of the operation was largely due to the thorough manner in which he had thought out and supervised every detail beforehand. He directed the operations with a courage and complete disregard of danger that inspired the greatest confidence in the officers and men under his command." The incident occurred near Arras on the 26th July 1918. He was also mentioned in Despatches. If he was still in the 5th Western Cavalry Battalion in August 1918 he would have been part of the 1st Canadian Division of the Canadian Corps being part of the 4th Army under General Rawlinson. The Division attacked from immediately south of Villers Bretonneux towards the south-east. For much of the attack the Divisions were plagued by the 4th Army Commander, General Rawlinson, and his Chief of Staff, Archibald Montgomery, giving little positive direction, but nevertheless the Canadians advanced several miles. It is safe to assume that Colin was killed in action.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
