Pte 22812 William Taylor Pittman

• Age: 26
• From: Blackpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 8th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

William Taylor Pittman was born in the June quarter of 1892 in Blackpool and was baptised at St John's Church, Blackpool on 11th November 1894. His family address is shown as 4 Brighton Grove, Blackpool and his father's occupation as a Chef. He was the son of Richard Keys Pittman and his wife Martha Jane (nee Priestley) who had married in 1881 at St John's Church, Blackpool.  

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 127 Leopold Road, Liverpool. William T is 8 years of age, he is living with both parents and five siblings. His father is shown as a Chef born in Oxfordshire in 1859, whilst his mother was born in Greetland, Yorkshire in 1861. All of his siblings were born in Blackpool and are listed as follows;
Mary A. a dressmaker born 1882, Percy b. 1889, Eleanor b. 1891, Frederick K. b. 1897 and Harold H b.1900. Also present is a niece recorded as Welcome Tuptin.

On the 1911 Census William is now 18, he is single and employed as a barman. He is still living at 127 Leopold Road with his parents and 3 siblings who are still resident. They are Eleanor, Frederick Keys and Harold Herbert.

William enlisted in Liverpool on 10th November 1914 joining the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 22812. He gave his age as 22 years and 6 months and his occupation is listed as a steward. He is described as being 5' 8 inches tall, weighing 138lbs with a 36 and a half inch chest, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. 
Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. Whilst at Larkhill he was given a punishment of 14 days confined to barracks as a result of being absent for 3 days from 02nd October to 04th October 1915. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He was granted leave to the UK between 21st and 30th August 1917 and was posted to the 17th Battalion upon the disbandment of the 20th Battalion on 07th February 1918.

William was killed in action on the 08^th May 1918 aged 26 during the German Spring Offensive.

The 17th Battalion were at this time in the Vierstraat Sector. the diary reports that the day passed quietly until the afternoon. The front line ran through Klein Vierstraat Cabaret. At 4.30 pm it was reported that the Germans had advanced and were now in " our original front line". At 7.10 pm A and B company's of the 17th Battalion were ordered to move forward in artillery formation from support line with object of co-operating with French troops who were advancing towards the enemy. At 08.10 pm the advance was reported to be going well on the left but nothing could be seen on the right. The situation at the end of the day was that the 17th Battalion were holding the line alongside several other units but casualties were heavy. Captain Norman Henry and Second Lieutenant Dudley Hammond Black were killed in action alongside 17 other ranks one of whom was William Pittman. 

William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

His death was reported in the local press:

PITTMAN - May 8, killed in action, aged 26 years, Private William Taylor (K.L.R.), the dearly beloved second son of Mr and Mrs Richard Keys Pittman, 127 Leopold Road.

He earned his three medals and his Soldiers Effects were sent to his father Richard. His father signed a sworn declaration on 14th July 1919 that states William's living relatives are himself and his mother. Also listed are brothers; Percy, Frederick and Harold as well as sisters Mary Ann Jones and Eleanor.  It is noted that Frederick and Harold had served during the War.  

William is commemorated on the Memorial at St Mary's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool.


We currently have no further information on Harry Pitts, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

His sister Mary Ann, aged 38 was in Montreal, Canada.

His brothers Frederick Keys was joined up as Pte 143650 ASC at the Royal Barracks, Dublin, and Harold Herbert with the forces in France as Pte 58503 Lancashire Fusiliers. 

The father Richard died June 1942 aged 83 and his mother Martha died June 1950 aged 89.

We currently have no further information on William Taylor Pittman, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.