Frank Fenn Pitt and crew of HD329

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Ali Chaudhry, Second World War Historian based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Just before midnight the 18th August 1944 crews of 98 Squadron took off on a Flare Dropping mission over the Falaise area, to support Mosquito bombing operations. The Falaise “Pocket” was getting smaller and smaller and the battle of Normandy would be over by the 30th of August.

Amongst them was Mitchell MK II, HD329, flown by Flight Lieutenant Alick Mewa. His fellow crew members were Flt Lt Laxman Shripad Ajrekar, WO Albert Ernest Nicholls and WO Frank Fenn Pitt. But the Squadron's Operations Record Book (ORB) records the fact that “F/Lt Mewa and Crew failed to return”. There were reports of heavy Flak, although inaccurate, over Trouville and Mezidon which are en-route to the Falaise area. The entry on the ORB further stated F/L Mewa was considered to be a first class Pilot, and his crew were also considered to be very efficient”.

This is the story of one of the crew.

Frank Fenn Pitt, Wireless Operator

Frank Fenn Pitt was born on 15 October 1920 in Bexleyheath, Kent,  to Percy John Pitt (1882-1932) and Violet Eleanor Knight (1881-1971). He was one of seven children, with siblings Horace Percival (1904-1962), Vera Constance (1907-1986), Keith Allan John (1911-1996), David John (1916-1917), Godfrey Fenn (1918-1971), and his twin brother, Jack Llewellyn (1920-2006).

The Pitt family c. 1924 - Frank Fenn Pitt can be found on the bottom right.

 

In 1901, his father Percy, worked as a clerk in his father’s business (Stable Jobmaster and Undertaker). By 1911, he had become a Jobmaster Manager and by 1921, he was listed as a Coffin Maker. Interestingly, Percy’s father was born in Collingwood, Australia, which may explain why the Pitt family lived in Australia from 1911 to 1915.

All four of his brothers served in the military during WWII. Horace served in the Indian Army, Keith served in the Merchant Navy, Godfrey served in the Gordon Highlanders and Jack served as an Royal Air Force Flight Mechanic in India.

In 1939, at the age of 19, Frank enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve but he was killed in action on 19 August 1944. He was due to be married just three days later.

Frank is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England (Panel 203).

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

You can read the stories about the other crew members here:

Flt Lt Alick 'Vivian' Mewa

Flt Lt Laxman Shripad Ajrekar

WO Albert Ernest Nicholls