Arthur James Pitt

An Acting Commissioned Gunner with H.M.S. Raglan, Arthur died on 20th of January 1918 at the age of 26. 

Arthur was born at Lowestoft on 15 November 1891, a son of Arthur Henry and Agnes Marr Pitt. He was baptised at Christchurch, Lowestoft, on 16 December 1891 and his family lived at 4 Spurgeon Score. In 1901 their address was 5 Spurgeon Score and later they lived at 10 Spurgeon Score, High Street, Lowestoft.

Arthur was working as a fish labourer when he joined the Royal Navy, as a Boy 2nd Class, on 30 March 1909. He then served continuously with the navy until his death. By November 1914 he had been promoted to Petty Officer and on 7 June 1917 he became an Acting Commissioned Gunner. 

An assessment by his commanding officer, in late 1917, states: Zealous and with experience will make a very good Warrant Officer . . . Great ability on electrical work and searchlight control. Smart and good mannered. Energetic. Good command of men.

Arthur was on board H.M.S. Raglan when it, and other ships in its Squadron, were attacked by the battlecruiser Goeben and the cruiser Breslau in the Battle of Imbros. The Raglan was severely damaged and sunk and 127 members of the crew, including Arthur, were killed. A Court-martial inquiry took place on 31 January 1918 and the conduct of the crew, under overwhelming odds, was recognised to have been exemplary.