The Soldiers

15/407 Lance / Sgt A. Gutteridge

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Born 1891, Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Died 3rd July 1916, Bethnall Green Hospital, London.
Very little is known about Albert’s early life except that he was a prominent member of the Leeds Athletic Harriers, and that in 1911 aged 20 he came to prominence as an athlete when he beat a field of over 200 to win the Yorkshire Junior Championship, at Queens Park in Castleford.

When war broke out Albert was working at Messrs Russell, printers, of Leeds, and living at 24 Royal Park Grove, Hyde Park, and Leeds.

On the 5th September 1914, Albert presented himself at the Leeds town hall, and enlisted into the “Leeds Pals”, he was not only given the rank of Lance/Sgt with A Company, but also made Machine Gun Section Sgt. His platoon commanding officer being Lt Robert Huntries Tolson.

Because of his athletic prowess, Albert played a major part in battalion sports, this was reflected on Wednesday 12th May 1915, when Albert not only represented his “beloved” A Company in 3 events, but also was a steward at the regimental sports day.

Sgt Gutteridge was to serve with the pals at Colsterdale, Egypt and France.

On the 1st July 1916, the 1st day of the “Battle of the Somme”, Albert was according to the Yorkshire Observer 9th July 1916

“Practically blown out of one shell hole into another! Whilst receiving 5 wounds, including a broken leg!”

He found himself in Bethnall Green hospital, London where, unfortunately, after having his leg amputated he died of his wounds on the 30th July 1916.

On Thursday 3rd August 1916, the day after Albert was buried The Yorkshire Observer reported:

“The Funeral took place, with full military honours, on Wednesday, for Sgt Albert Gutteridge, West Yorkshire Regiment, who received fatal wounds in the Battle of the Somme. The coffin draped in the Union Jack and covered by a profusion of floral tributes, was borne from his fathers house, 24 Royal Park Grove, Hyde Park, Leeds, on a gun carriage drawn by 6 black horses. A detachment of artillerymen, from Chapletown barracks attended"

Sgt Albert Gutteridge is buried in Lawnswood Cemetery, Leeds.

 

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