Description
1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Air Efficiency Award, GVI, Squadron Leader Dr Thomas Bellamy Pitts, MRCS LRCP, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Medical Branch.
Air Efficiency officially engraved: “Sqn Ldr T.B. Pitts. R.A.F.V.R.”
Swing mounted as worn.
Doctor Thomas Bellamy Pitts was born on 30th July 1904, being baptised at Plymouth, Devon.
The son of 2 Plymouth locals, William King Pitts and Ellen Bellamy.
His middle name was naturally his mother’s surname “Bellamy” having come from a distinguished family, being the 1st born daughter of Knight Bachelor Bellamy, Sir Joseph Arthur Bellamy JP, the Mayor of Plymouth from 1901-1902.
His grandfather was quite the character in the city of Plymouth, being fluent in 5 languages, including Russian and Japanese, likely due to the family’s shipping company.
Being educated at Clayesmore Boarding Secondary School circa 1921, he then studied to become a Doctor.
He graduated and was registered as a Dr on 1st November 1929, having become a licensed MRCS England and LRCP London during that year.
Following this he became House Physician at Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary, during 1930.
In the lead up to the war during 1939, he was working at Abbots House in Cheam, Surrey.
Joining the RAFVR, he was commissioned as a Flying Officer on 26th August 1939.
It took little time to rise up the ranks, being promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 2nd May 1940.
On 1st January 1943 he was promoted to Squadron Leader, it was also around this time that he would add “D.A.” to his post nominals having gained a Diploma in Anaesthetics.
He lived a long life and later died aged about 90 years old during July 1944, in Taunton Deane, Somerset.
