The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Company Sergeant Major J Gutteridge

Photograph by "Philipe DEGROOTE"

Company Serjeant Major John GUTTERIDGE, G/1324, 8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds, 29 Casualty Clearing Station, Flanders France, 16th October 1918, age 29.

Born Bromley, Kent, son of William Samuel and Kate Gutteridge, of 18, Morgan Road, Bromley, Kent.

1911 Census - 16 Freelands Grove, Bromley, Kent - William Samuel Gutteridge, head, age 50, married, domestic gardener, worker, born Weston, Hertfordshire; Kate Gutteridge, wife, age 48, married 26 years, 14 children, 8 still alive, born Clare, Suffolk; William Gutteridge, son, age 22, single, wine cellarman, Wine Merchant, employee, born Bromley, Kent; John Gutteridge, son, age 21, single, fishmongers assistant, employee, Howards Ltd, born Bromley, Kent; Harold Gutteridge, son, age 18, single, grocers assistant, employee, born Bromley, Kent; Dolly Gutteridge, daughter, age 16, single, general domestic servant, born Bromley, Kent; Emily Gutteridge, daughter, age 14, born Bromley, Kent; Margaret Gutteridge, daughter, age 10, born Bromley, Kent; Jeremiah Gutteridge, son, age 7, born Bromley, Kent; Cyril Gutteridge, son, age 4 months, born Bromley, Kent.

Enlisted Bromley, Kent.

30th August 1915, posted BEF.

Buried at Delsaux Farm Cemetery, II. B. 2., Beugny, France. Commemorated on Bromley War Memorial.

AWARDS: DCM

London Gazette 28th December 1918.

War Office, 28th December 1918. - The following is a continuation of Sir D Haig's Despatch of the 8th November, submitting names deserving of special mention:

Royal West Kent Regiment - Gutteridge, 1324 CSM., J., 8th Battalion.

London Gazette 12th March 1919.

Hs Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned. Officers and Men for gallantry and distinguished Service in the field. The acts of gallantry for which the decorations have been awarded will be announced in the London Gazette as early as practicable:

1324 Company Quartermaster Serjeant J Gutteridge, 8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. (Bromley)

London Gazette 2nd December 1919

His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men, for gallantry and distinguished service in the Field:—

Company Serjeant Major J GUTTERIDGE, G/1324, 8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment. (Bromley)

At Baussy, on 16th October 1918, for most conspicuous gallantry. During the attack the company came under very heavy enfilade machine gun fire, and suffered many causalities, all of the officers being either killed or wounded, and he several times reorganised the platoons after the platoon commanders had become causalities. Later he took a Lewis gun to an advanced position and personally directed the fire, completely breaking up an enemy counter attack. During the whole morning until badly wounded, he did excellent work and his fine example greatly inspired the men.

This page was last updated on 26-Nov-2020.