Pitts, Robert Michael
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Robert Michael |
Surname | Pitts |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 01-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert William Pitts and Margaret Pitts (née French) of Montreal, Québec, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax V |
Serial Number | LL497 |
Markings | LR- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 256. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 85 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/194287 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | |
Squadron | 1667 HCU |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside location, adjacent to Sandtoft airfield, Sandtoft, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone obolisk and inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of all those who served and died at RAF Sandtoft during Word War II |
Location | Eastern end of former main runway, Faldingworth, Lincolnshire * PRIVATE PROPERTY * |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone sculpture and inscribed stone tablet |
Memorial Text | 1667 HCU RAF 1943 To those who tyranny threatened flew from this runway, some never to return and to those who supported them on the ground, we remember you all |
Miscellaneous Information
Robert was born in Montreal on 7 May 1923. Both parents were born in Montreal and his father worked as a labourer. He had two brothers Garth William and Walter David also two sisters, Eileen Mary and Joan Margaret. The school he attended was St. Ann’s Boys school, Montreal 1929-1939 (grade 11 in all courses). For sport he enjoyed swimming, skating, bowling and baseball. John worked as a clerk between 1939 - 1942 in the assessors office at the city of Montreal, before enlisting on 5 Oct 1942. |
After his initial training he embarked from Halifax on 14 December 1943 for the U.K. and arrived at 3 (RCAF) PRC on 22 December 1943. He then went on to 3 (0) AFU on 25 January 1944, 28 OTU 29 February 1944, and 11 Base on 23 May 1944. Sadly, Robert then went missing from 1667 HCU on 1/2 July 1944 whilst on a night time Cross Country training flight. None of the crew nor the aircraft were ever found. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 01-07-1944 |
End Date | 02-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Sandtoft |
Day/Night Raid | Night (80% moon) |
Operation | Night cross-country |
Reason for Loss | Last heard of in the Shrewsbury area |