| Pitt-Taylor | Walter William | | Lieutenant | PITT-TAYLOR, WALTER WILLIAM, Lieutenant, was born 30 August 1878, son of Charles Pitt-Taylor. He was educated at Eton, and became Second Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade, 18 October 1899; Lieutenant 1 August 1900. He served in the South African Campaign from November 1899 to the end of the war with the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, being present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso; operations of 17 to 24 January 1900; operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights 14 to 27 February 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in Natal, March to June 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; operations in the Transvaal, December 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's and King's Medals with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "Walter William Pitt-Taylor, Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was Adjutant, Rifle Brigade, 17 July 1903 to 16 July 1906; became Captain 23 January 1905; was on Special Service in Egypt 5 October 1908 to 4 April 1909, and 3 September to 4 October 1909. Captain Pitt-Taylor served in the European War. He was GSO 3rd Grade, 3rd Army Corps, 5 August 1914 to 31 March 1915; Brigade Major, 12th Infantry Brigade, BEF, from 1 April to 30 September 1915; GSO, 2nd Grade, 37th Division, from 1 October 1915 to 4 February 1916; GS01, 4th Army, BEF, British Armies in France, 5 February 1916 to 30 October 1917, GS01, 14th Army Corps, British Armies in France, 31 October to 9 November 1917; GS01, British Mission with the Italian Army, 11 November 1917 to 27 August 1918; Temporary Brigadier General 28 August 1918 to 9 March 1919; Brigade Commander, 145th Infantry Brigade, British Armies in France, 28 August to 8 October 1918; Brigadier General, General Staff, 14tb Army Corps, British Armies in France, 9 October 1918 to 9 March 1919. He was appointed Temporary Military Assistant (GSO1), Imperial General Staff, 10 March 1919. Colonel Pitt-Taylor was nine times mentioned in Despatches; was given the Brevet of Major 3 June 1915; of Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1917, and of Colonel 3 June 1918; was created a CMG in 1918, and CB in 1919. He was an Officer of the Legion of Honour; had the French and Italian War Crosses and also the Italian Silver Medal for Valour.
KCB (m), CMG, DSO, QSA (4) CC T-H RofL Trans, KSA (2), 1914 Star, BWM, Victory Medal, Defence Medal, 1911 Coronation, 1935 Jubilee, 1937 Coronation, Legion dHonneur (France) 5th Class, Criox de Guerre (France), Al Valore Militare (Italy), Al Merito de Guerra (Italy). Regimental Museum, Winchester 1996.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Consort's Own) Rifle Brigade |
