Robert Stanley Pitt

Volunteered and served as a major Robert Stanley Pitt, MBE, was a Canadian Army officer whose Second World War service in North-West Europe was recognised with a Mention in Despatches and appointment to the Order of the British Empire. He later managed the Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax as part of a long career with Canadian National Hotels.

Born on 1 July 1905 in Brighton, Sussex, England, Pitt built a career in hotel management in Canada. In November 1941, a newspaper reported that he had been granted leave from his hotel position to accept a commission in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps.

During the Second World War, Pitt served at Headquarters First Canadian Army. An honours record identifies him as a major and records his Mention in Despatches for service in North-West Europe. His appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, Military Division, took effect on 30 June 1945 and was published in the *London Gazette* on 12 July.

The surviving honours cards do not describe the individual acts or duties behind his recognition. His complete postings and wartime service record remain to be established.

After the war, Pitt continued his career with Canadian National Hotels. By the early 1960s, he was manager of the Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax, a prominent railway hotel serving travellers and the local community.

Pitt died at the Veterans’ Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia, on 17 February 1973, aged 67. His death notice identified him as Lieutenant-Colonel Robert S. Pitt, MBE. He was survived by his wife, Eleanor, known as Ella, and their children Tony, Michael and Sally.

His life brought together military service and a career in Canadian hospitality. His honours preserve a record of his contribution to First Canadian Army and its work in North-West Europe.