Thiepval Memorial - Somme

Private Harry Dennis Gutteridge

Pte Harry Dennis Gutteridge, 27949, 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, was reported missing in action on February 5th, 1917, but his death on that date was not confirmed until the following November.

Born in Leighton Buzzard, Harry Gutteridge was a son of widow Mary Ann Isabella and the late Dennis Gutteridge. At the time of his death his family were living at 8 Holly Walk, Luton.

Private John Jellis

John Jellis was born in Flitwick, Bedfordshire in January 1883. He was 1of 9 children born to John & Sarah-Ann.

In October 1905, aged 22 John married Louie Buckingham in Ampthill, Bedfordshire & in 1906 their first son Arthur was born.

Rifleman Alfred John Stanley Bruton

 

Rifleman Alfred John Stanley Bruton, C/1669, 17th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, was killed in action on the Somme on October 21st, 1916. He was aged 24.

He was the second of the two sons of Alfred John and Sarah Jane Bruton, of East Hyde Mill Cottage, New Mill End, to lose his life on active service. Younger brother Rifleman Augustus Tennyson Bruton died in the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, Lancs, on April 10th, 1916, from wounds sustained accidentally in a bomb-throwing accident.

Private Bertram Hubert Spalding

 

Pte Bertram Hubert Spalding, G/14865, Bedfordshire Regiment attached to the 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 27th, 1916. He was aged 19.

Comrade and close friend Pte J. G. Stevens wrote to parents Bertram and Emma Spalding at 204 Hitchin Road, Luton, to inform them that their son and he were engaged on operations late at night under German fire when Bert was struck and killed instantly. He was buried the next morning.

Private Archibald Odell

 

Pte Archibald Odell (O'Dell), 8094, 1/2nd London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), was killed in action on the Somme on October 9th, 1916. He was aged about 40.

Popularly known as Joe, he left a widow, Violet, and three daughters - Mabel, Doris and Irene - living at 4 Ebenezer Street, Luton.

The old soldier had seen 12 years service in the Regular Army, seven of them abroad in countries like India, Aden and Canada. Back in civilian life he was a blocker employed by Mr Jack Durrant, who was also a well-known local footballer.

Private Henry Cecil Pugh (Brooks)

 

Pte Henry Cecil Pugh (Brooks), 8103, 1/2nd Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), was killed in action on the Somme on October 4th, 1916. He was formerly 4403, 5th Bedfordshires.

Pal Pte Henry James wrote to Henry's mother, Mrs Mary Hannah Brooks (formerly Pugh) at her home at 7 Hampton Road, Luton, that her son was "buried by several Beds boys behind the line, with his rifle as a tombstone. He was killed instantly."

Lance Corporal Cyril Stone Terry Short

 

L-Cpl Cyril Stone Terry Short, 19477, 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (Bankers' Battalion) was killed in action on the Somme on or a day or two before 18th September, 1916.

Born in Southsea, Hampshire, where he spent most of his life, L-Cpl Short had arrived in Luton by 1911 as a bank clerk employed by the Capital and Counties Bank on the corner of George Street and Bute Street [now the premises of Lloyds Bank].

Private Harry Waller

 

Pte Harry (Henry) Waller, 27820, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 24th, 1916. He was aged 35.

His mother Sarah Ann, living at 45 Langley Road [now Latimer Road], Luton, was told in a letter from Second Lieut J. H. Kay that her son was killed by a piece of shell while at his post in the trenches on October 24th.

Before joining up eight months previously he had been employed at Stewart Hubbard's dyeworks in Regent Street. He had been at the Front for three months.

Private Harry Waller

 

Pte Harry (Henry) Waller, 27820, 7th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 24th, 1916. He was aged 35.

His mother Sarah Ann, living at 45 Langley Road [now Latimer Road], Luton, was told in a letter from Second Lieut J. H. Kay that her son was killed by a piece of shell while at his post in the trenches on October 24th.

Before joining up eight months previously he had been employed at Stewart Hubbard's dyeworks in Regent Street. He had been at the Front for three months.

Rifleman Arthur James Gaunt

 

Rifleman Arthur James Gaunt, 4173, 1/8th Battalion London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), was killed in action on the Somme on September 15th, 1916.

Born in Turvey, Beds, the 20-year-old was the son of Edward Green Gaunt and the late Lucy (nee Burr), who died in November 1915. His father lived at 12 Hartley Road, Luton, at the time of Arthur's death.

In the 1911 Census Arthur is described as a telegraph boy. He became an assistant postman in August 1912, and had transferred to Harrow as a postman before he enlisted.

 

Private Lusignan Ernest Jeffery

 

Pte Lusignan Ernest Jeffery, 26047, 9th Loyal North Lancs Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on September 3rd, 1916. He was aged 25.

Born in Banbury, Oxon, in 1891, he worked for hat firm A. Hucklesby and Co, George Street, Luton, before enlisting in the Bedfordshire Regiment in February 1916. He was transferred to the Loyal North Lancashires and was attached to the Manchester Regiment on the Somme. Comrades at first reported him wounded and the War Office notified that he was missing.

Lance Corporal Frank Primett

 

L-Cpl Frank Primett, 14026, 8th Battalion Beds Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on September 15th, 1916. He was the first of two sons of Albert and Agnes Primett to be killed on the battlefield - Pte Charles Augustus Primett, 2nd Bedfords, also died on the Somme, on October 12th,1916.

Born in Ickleford on March 9th, 1886, he spent most of his life in the Hitchin area. By 1915, and possibly after he had enlisted, his parents were living at 18 Spencer Road, Luton, the address on the Luton Roll of Honour.

Private Charles Augustus Primett

 

Pte Charles Augustus Primett, 4/6279, 2nd Battalion Beds Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 12th, 1916. He was the second son of Albert and Agnes Primett to be killed on the battlefield - Cpl Frank Primett, 8th Bedfords, also died on the Somme (September 15th,1916).

Born in Ickleford on September 9th, 1887, he spent most of his life in the Hitchin area. By 1915, and possibly after he had enlisted, his parents were living at 18 Spencer Road, Luton, the address on the Luton Roll of Honour.

 

Private Sidney Alfred Burgess

 

Pte Sidney Alfred Burgess, 3/7212, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 12th, 1916. He was aged 22.

In a letter to Mrs Burgess at 23 Buxton Road, Luton, Cpl C. Smith wrote that he was fighting near to Sidney, who had suffered no pain as his death was instantaneous. He died from a bullet that hit him near the heart.

2nd Lieutenant Harold George Fyson

 

Second Lieut Harold George Fyson, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on the Somme on October 12th, 1916. He was aged 26.

Born in Luton in April 1890, he was a son of straw hat dyer employer George Austin Fyson and his wife Kate(nee Cooke), of 36 Leagrave Road.

His parents received a telegram on October 15th to say he had been wounded on the 12th and then a second to say he was wounded and missing. Then two letters from fellow officers confirmed his death.

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