William Fox-Pitt (British Army)
Major-General William Augustus Fitzgerald Lane Fox-Pitt CVO DSO MC (28 January 1896 – 26 April 1988) was a British soldier who served in both the First World War and Second World War.[1]
Major-General William Augustus Fitzgerald Lane Fox-Pitt CVO; DSO; MC | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 January 1896 London, UK |
| Died | 26 April 1988 |
| Buried | Caundle Marsh, UK |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1947 |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | Welsh Guards |
| Commands held | 20th Guards Brigade; East Kent District |
| Battles/wars | World War I; World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross; Distinguished Service Order |
| Alma mater | Charterhouse |
Early life
Fox-Pitt was born in London on 28 January 1896[2][3] to Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Fox-Pitt, a soldier with the Grenadier Guards. For his education he attended Charterhouse School before following his father into the army, joining the Cheshire Regiment in August 1914.[1]
Military service
First World War
He sailed for France with the Cheshire Regiment in October 1914 before transferring to the newly formed Welsh Guards the following year. While with the regiment he was wounded in fighting at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Commanding a company at Ginchy on the Somme in 1916 he won a Military Cross for his actions.[1] The citation for the award stated:[4]
For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When commanding the left company of a line holding a position, he succeeded in getting into touch with troops on his left and establishing connections all through. His company was not only heavily shelled, but was fighting continuously at close quarters for twenty-four hours, and inflicted heavy loss to the enemy.
— Edinburgh Gazette
He was injured once more during 1918.[1]
Interwar years
Remaining with the Welsh Guards after the war, Fox-Pitt commanded the 1st Battalion between 1934 and 1939 followed by command of the whole regiment.[1]
Second World War
The Battle of France saw Fox-Pitt, now commander of 20th Guards Brigade, sail to France with his two battalions to defend Boulogne. During the Battle of Boulogne they held for two days before being evacuated. For his "leadership and personal example" during the battle he was awarded a Distinguished Service Order.[1]
He went on to command the East Kent District in 1943 and was promoted to Major-General.[1]
Post war
From 1945 to 1947 Fox-Pitt was aide-de-camp to King George VI before retiring from the army.[1]
Later life
Fox-Pitt was a member of HM Bodyguard of the Honourable Corp of Gentlemen-at-Arms between 1947 and 1966 and was also Standard Bearer from 1961 to 1963. He was also appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Dorset in 1957.[1]
An enthusiastic hunter, Fox-Pitt enjoyed shooting and fishing as was chair of the Blackmoor Vale hunt.[1]
He died at the age of 92 and his ashes were interred at Caundle Marsh, Dorset, UK.[5]
References
- "Maj-Gen W. A. F. L. Fox-Pitt". The Times. 63070. 2 May 1988. p. 14.
- The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/2197C
- FreeBMD. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
- "The Edinburgh Gazette". The Edinburgh Gazette (13012). 16 November 1916. p. 2077.
- Ancestry.com. Dorset, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.