Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Colonel J. D. Pitman, Canadian Ordnance Corps

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (34803 Sgt. Maj. J. D. Pitman. 1/Can: Div: H.G.) rank corrected; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major J. D. Pitman.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, generally very fine or better (6) £800-£1,000

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917, 28 December 1917 and 9 February 1920.

John Downey Pitman was born in Somerset, Bermuda in May 1881. He was employed in Canada by Hancock Manufacturing Company prior to the war, having served served in the British Army for 7 years and 153. Pitman initially served during the Great War as a Sergeant Major with the Canadian Ordnance Corps, and was appointed Assistant Commissary of Ordnance with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant in January 1915. He advanced to Acting Major, and was appointed D.A.D.O.S., Canadian Corps in September 1917. Pitman was subsequently posted as Chief Ordnance Officer, Ashford in October 1918. He returned to Canada, and advanced to Major in January 1925, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in May 1936.

Pitman re-engaged for service with the Canadian Militia in September 1939, and served as Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding Canadian Ordnance Corps Training Centre. He died in February 1959.

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