Hector Pitchforth

Hector James Henry Pitchforth (Inuktitut: ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖅ, Aullaq; His family was English and he was brought up primarily in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Though he became fully deaf at an early age, Pitchforth qualified as an engineer and served with the British Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet during World War I.

On 2 July 1918, only west of Ireland, Erme was boarded and burnt by the German submarine U-53. He travelled with Inuit by dog sled starting in December 1923. In January 1924 travelled to Cape Henry Kater and back, before embarking on a long journey in February, the coldest month of the year for the region.

That winter, Pitchforth's ability to hunt fresh meat was negatively impacted when disease spread among the hunting dogs, and no supplies had arrived preventing his trade with locals. As such he became inflicted with scurvy. The Inuit inhabitants of Kivitoo noted changes in Pitchforth's demeanour. He became increasingly paranoid and isolated, fearing rival traders, the Canadian police, and the Inuit, whom he became convinced were all out to kill him. Janes was a trader from Newfoundland who was killed by an Inuk in Cape Crauford, also on Baffin Island, which led to a prominent murder trial. He also had fox pelts, many rifles and shotguns, including one frozen at his side, dirty clothing and dishes, and his diary.