Major-General Herbert Chelsey Pitts, MC, CD

Nomination for Recognition on the Wall of Honour
The Royal Military College of Canada

Throughout his life Herb Pitts served Canadians from coast-to-coast and from all walks of life. He was an outstanding Army Officer in war and peace; and after retirement continued to support the four Regiments with whom he served, mentoring the next generation through his personal example. In civilian life over 30 years he was a tireless volunteer in a broad array of public service activities. 

Herb Pitts was born in 1929 and raised in Nelson, BC. In 1948 he enrolled into Royal Roads Military College (Cadet 2897) in Victoria, BC, was commissioned into the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) in 1951, and immediately sent to the Korean war where he served with distinction as a rifle platoon commander with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). He was awarded the Military Cross for heroic combat leadership in Korea in 1953. On return to Canada, he was assigned to the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (QOR of C). He progressed rapidly through the ranks in command and staff appointments which included command of the First Battalion in Victoria from 1967 to 69, and later the command of the Canadian Airborne Regiment (CAR) in Edmonton from 1971 to 73. He was posted to Canadian Forces Headquarters in Ottawa, to serve in senior operational appointments, culminating in his promotion to Major General in 1976. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1978, with an impeccable record of service in war and peace and an outstanding reputation. He was revered - especially by his subordinates; as exemplified by his four Regimental Honourary appointments after his retirement which are described below.  

When he retired from the Army, Herb Pitts was 49 years old. He could have transitioned to industry to accumulate personal wealth; but instead he chose to dedicate his life to voluntary public service in senior national, provincial and community leadership appointments. For over 30 years he organized like-minded people and resources to promote worthy causes that contributed to national development and enriched the lives of countless Canadians from coast-to-coast. His legacy of accomplishments reflects the highest standards of leadership.

Herb Pitts' remarkable record is rare. There are four recurring themes that permeate his body of work: (1) developing Canadian Youth, (2) commemorating Canadian national heritage; (3) supporting Canadian military and veterans’ organizations; and (4) serving his community.

Herb Pitts was devoted to mentoring the development of Canadian youth. For example: (1) as Life Governor of the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association, he encouraged the training and support of Canada's finest marksmen. They represented Canada at Commonwealth range competitions winning prizes and medals to enhance Canada's image at home and abroad. (2) As a supporter of Big Brothers and Sisters of Ontario, he was committed to providing young people with the highest quality mentoring programs to encourage their growth as leaders.  (3) As a supporter of the Army Cadet League of Ontario, he reviewed cadet corps and their training; and imparted through his own example the qualities of honesty, loyalty and integrity - planting character development seeds that will flourish to become the next generation of Canadian leaders. (4) In over 16 years of voluntary service to Scouts Canada, he served as National President, International Commissioner, and National Commissioner. He is the only Canadian to have held all three of Canada's senior Scouting appointments. Again, year after year he travelled to provincial, national and international scouting events and jamborees to officiate, and prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scouting movement. His accomplishments in promoting Scouting have been acknowledged through Scout Brotherhood Awards presented to him by Canada, the USA and Korea. (5) Throughout the years he led campaigns to raise funds on behalf of Army Regiments to provide bursaries to children in need and assist them to complete their post-secondary education.

Herb Pitts was committed to events that commemorate Canadian heritage. For example: (1) in 1996 he played a leading role in forming the Korean Veterans Association of Canada, and then in organizing with others a fundraising campaign to construct a national memorial in Brampton, ON, consisting of a 200-foot-long granite Wall of Remembrance. It contains 516 bronze plaques, one for each of the volunteer Canadian soldiers who died in Korea. A central bronze feature lists all of the Canadian military units which served in that war. This Memorial will cause future generations to remember the high price that was paid for peace. (2) In 2010, as Honorary National President of the 150th Anniversary Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Organizing Committee, he led the planning of national celebrations in Victoria, Calgary and Toronto, which included the unveiling of public cairns and bronze plaques to observe the history and accomplishments of Canada's oldest infantry regiment.     

Herb Pitts supported the military in his retirement.  He resigned from the Army in 1978, but at the behest of several infantry Regiments continued to serve in retirement in Honorary appointments. His support was sought in recognition of his outstanding record of military service and exemplary character which inspired all. For example: (1) he served as Colonel Commandant of the Infantry Corps; (2) Colonel of the Regiment of the PPCLI, QOR of C and CAR; (3) Patron of The Canadian Parachute Battalion Association, and The Canadian Airborne Forces Association; and (4) Distinguished Member of the Ex-Cadet Club of RMC. In his Honourary Regimental appointments he visited troops in training in Canada, and in operational missions abroad. He led fundraising initiatives to support military benevolent programs, bursaries and important historic military anniversaries (e.g., D-Day, Vimy, etc.). He participated in public speaking across the country at schools and universities to educate Canadians and instill pride in our military.  Moreover, he led the training of officers and NCOs in the histories of their Regiments, to foster and inculcate Regimental pride, ethical behaviour, unit cohesion and leadership - critical values that strengthen our Regiments' capacity to secure national vital interests at home and abroad.

Herb Pitts served Canadian veterans throughout his adult life. As Honourary President of the British Columbia and Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, he led the Command's annual poppy campaign, participated in countless Legion fundraising events and ceremonies, served as Legion spokesman, and executed its mission; which is to serve veterans and their dependents, promote Remembrance, and act in the Service of Canada. 

Herb Pitts served his community. In his later years, the focus of his volunteer interests shifted to Veterans' and Seniors’ issues. (1) He served on the Board of the Tillicum Veterans Care Society, responsible for the Lodge at Broadmead in Victoria, BC, and its supporting Foundation. (2) He was the Stewardship Chair at his church in Victoria. He was responsible for all fundraising to support church programs.  

Herb died on 27 September 2018. Several hundred of his friends and admirers attended his funeral in Victoria, where tributes to his extraordinary life were recalled in solemn remembrance. 

Throughout his life Herb Pitts accumulated a magnificent record that includes gallantry in war, and public service in peace - all without fanfare or self-aggrandizement. His record of contributions to national, provincial and community activities are representative of the highest standards of voluntary public service in Canada.  The installation of his name and story on the RMC Wall of Honour would be inspirational and applauded by all.

Next of Kin
Mrs. Marianne Pitts 

Nominator
Colonel (Retired) John Joly, OMM, CD 

Other Interested Organizations
LdSH(RC) Regimental Headquarters
QOR of C Regimental Headquarters
PPCLI Regimental Headquarters
Canadian Airborne Forces Association
Korean Veterans Association
Royal Canadian Legion
Scouts Canada
RMC Ex-Cadet Club