In Service
This page acknowledges the service of family members who served and returned home after war.
To see dedications to those who served and were killed in action, go to the In Remembrance page.
- WWI
- WWII
World War I
Chaplain 4th class (Captain) George Wesley Pittendrigh
Chaplain Corps
First cousin, 3x removed
George was a Methodist Minister and joined the Chaplain Corps on 12 September 1916 at the age of 35 years, where he served in a number of units throughout the war.
George’s brother, Cpl Robert Reginald Pittendrigh, was also a Methodist Minister but was unable to find a vacancy in the Chaplain Corps and died of wounds in Gallipoli (See Robert’s entry on the In Remembrance page.)
George was returned to Australia on 6 July 1919.
Driver Keith Russell Paget Pittendrigh (No. 32911)
2nd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
First cousin, 3x removed
Keith joined the AIF on 1 November 1916 at the age of 24 years. He was sent to France initially as a Private then Gunner with the 4th DAC.
Keith was returned to Australia on 11 May 1919.
[No picture of this family member]
Private Reginald (Samuel Reginald) Pittendrigh (No. 7344)
3rd Machine Gun Battalion
First cousin, 3x removed
As his father’s name was also Samuel, he joined the AIF on 9 October 1916 at the age of 25 under his middle name Reginald.
Reginald was initally assigned to the 14th Battalion but was transferred to the 9th Machine Gun Company in England. He joined the 9th M.G. Coy. in France on 8 November 1917. The 9th M.G. Coy. was later absorbed into the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion.
Reginald was admitted to hospital on 2 December 1917 and never returned to the war, being returned to Australia on 17 May 1918. Although we now know his condition was likely due to an infection caused by the lice, his records show an initial condition of “scabies”, and an eventual discharge reason of trench fever.
Private William Edgar Howells (No. 2335 & 2335A)
1st Pioneer Battalion
Great granduncle
William joined the AIF on 13 September 1915 at the age of 25 years, and started in 31st Infantry Battalion. He was later transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion.
The 1st Pioneer Battalion was attached to the 1st Division and were a light engineers group tasked with constructing defensive positions, command posts, dugouts, barbed-wire fences, and other engineering duties needed to assist the troops near the front line.
William was possibly the “black sheep” of the family. He had a number of charges brought against him during the war, mostly for drunkeness or absent without leave.
William was returned to Australia on 31 March 1919.
World War II
Warrant Officer (II) Keith Russell Paget Pittendrigh (No. N68919)
7th Garrison Battalion
First cousin, 3x removed
Keith initally joined the 2nd Garrison Battalion as a Private on 2 October 1939 at the age of 46 years. He was promoted to Corporal on 6 November 1939. The Garrison Battalions were responsible for the coastal defence of Australia, with the 2nd stationed in Sydney NSW.
Keith was transferred to the 7th Garrison Battalion on 16 December 1940. This Battalion was responsible for both coastal defence and internal security.
He was promoted to Warrant Officer (II) on 9 February 1942, and discharged due to medical reasons on 12 December 1943.
Chaplain 3rd class (Leiutenant) George Wesley Pittendrigh (Q123032)
Australian Army Chaplains’ Department
First cousin, 3x removed
When WWII came around George was still a Methodist Minister and joined the Chaplain Department where he served in a number of units.
George was initially a Chaplain in the Militia (or CMF) Camps from 1930, but joined the AMF on 15 December 1941, age 60.
George ceased full time duty (FTD) on 21 April 1944.
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