| Regimental number | 6/849 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Ashburton, Canterbury |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Student |
| Address | Lincoln College, Canterbury |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Next of kin | Brother, Douglas M Stitt, c/- R J Hart (Guardian), Ashburton |
| Previous military service | Ashburton Public School Cadets |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on embarkation | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Canterbury Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Canterbury Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Tahiti' and 'Athenic'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Final rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Final unit | 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
|
| Fate | Commenced return to New Zealand |
| Medals |
Distinguished Service Order 'Operations Messines - 7th to 12th June and operations in front of Ploegsteert 14th June to 19th June 1917. During the above operations Major Stitt was in Command of the 1st Canterbury Battalion and displayed exceptional qualities of leadership during that time. He was continually under heavy shell fire for five days and showed the greatest gallantry when superintending the consolidation of that part of the Messines Ridge allotted to his battalion. During the later operations opposite Warneton he again commanded his Battalion with conspicuous success and was responsible for establishing a line of posts in front of La Basse Ville which he personally reconnoitred and personally supervised the work during the night it was carried out. Later, during the latter part of July, when the 1st Canterbury Battalion were holding trenches opposite La Basse Ville, Major Stitt was again in command. The Battalion was continually subjected to a very heavy shell fire, under very bad weather conditions; Major Stitt, by his cheerful disposition and devotion to duty, maintained his Battalion in the highest state of discipline and efficiency.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: Military Cross 'During the whole of the operations round Flers from 16th-28th September 1916, this Officer has done excellent work as Adjutant of the Battalion. During the action on the 27th at Grid Trench, the Senior Officers were casualties and Captain Stitt was sent forward to take command and consolidate the position. This he did particularly well, sending in good reports and citing an excellent line. An excellent officer.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: Mentioned in Despatches 'Mentioned in Field Marshall D. Haig's despatch of 7 November 1917 for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the period February 26th to midnight September 20-21st, 1917.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 21902 2nd Lieutenant Douglas Matthew STITT, Officers' Training Corps, returned to New Zealand. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Enlisted with rank of 2nd Lieutenant and posted to 13th (North Canterbury & Westland) Company, Canterbury Infantry Battalion, 14 August 1914. Proceeded overseas from Wellington with NZEF Main Body on board HMNZT 'Athenic' 16 October 1914. Disembarked Alexandria, Egypt, 4 December 1914; entrained for Cairo and on arrival marched in to Zeitoun Camp, 5 December 1914. Promoted to rank of Lieutenant, 11 April 1915. Admitted 19th General Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, 30 August 1915. Promoted to rank of Captain and appointed to position of Adjutant, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, 1 March 1916. Relinquishes appointment as Battalion Adjutant and appointed to command of 13th (North Canterbury & Westland) Company, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 27 September 1916. Granted rank of Temporary Major, 14 April 1917. Promoted to rank of Major, 27 September 1917. Appointed OC Troops, Returning Draft No 298, and commenced return to New Zealand from Plymouth, England, on board HMNZT 'Kigoma', 21 November 1919. Disembarked in Wellington, New Zealand, 12 January 1920. Struck off strength of NZEF and absorbed into the Reserve of Officers, 10 February 1920. Medals: Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 56 |
| Place of burial | City Park Cemetery (Section 7, Lot 82), Nairobi, Kenya |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805 London Gazette Papers Past (Ashburton Guardian, The Press, The Dominion, The Otago Daily Times) |