Corporal 17921

Corporal Edward Pitson of Old Brinsley, 10th Btn. Yorks & Lancs. has laid down his life for his country. Deceased came from the Rotherham District to Old Brinsley nearly two years ago to work at the Pinxton Coke Ovens and enlisted on April 19th and was drafted to France at the latter end of September.  He attached himself to the Yorks. and Lancs. Regiment in the hope of joining his brother, but the union was never accomplished.  Pitson, who was 35 years of age, and who leaves a wife and three children, in a letter which reached his wife on December 24th, intimated that he was going into the trenches again after a three days rest and on the date of the arrival of this letter the brave fellow, who had sacrificed everything for his country, fell a victim to the enemy. No details are to hand of his death, neither has the War Office communication reached the widow, but the sad news was conveyed in a letter from the Regimental Chaplain (R.W. Dugdale), who wrote .. "Dear Mrs Pitson, You will probably already have heard of the sad news of your husband's death.  He was killed in action on December the 24th and I buried him on Christmas Day in a little cemetery not far from the firing line.  He lies there in the company of many other brave men who have given their lives for England.  A cross will be put up to his memory and the grave will be well looked after."