Guthrie, Hugh

822 Gunner Hugh Guthrie - 36th Heavy Artillery Group

Hugh Guthrie was born in Killygordon Donegal Ireland on the 19th September 1894 to William and Ellen Guthrie. He was one of thirteen siblings born into the family.

His father died in 1901 and in 1903 his mother remarried to a Robert McCormack.

In 1911 Hugh was living at Killygordan and was working as a Grocer's Assistant.

14th April 1911 the family left Ireland for Australia, arriving at Fremantle on the 16th May 1911.

They took up residence at 48 Healey St Beaconsfield (later renamed to Hale Street) and Hugh took up work as a Drapers Assistant.

Hugh had joined the 11th Australian Garrison Artillery in Fremantle

On the 6th February 1916 Hugh enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was accepted as fit for service.

Upon his successful enlistment Hugh was returned to the permanent service with the 11th Australian Garrison Artillery at the Fremantle Artillery Barracks. On the 16th August 1916 at the Fremantle Artillery Barracks, he was able to enlist for service overseas as a reinforcement to the 36th Heavy Artillery Group. The medical examiner recorded Hugh's details as;

Height - 5 feet 7 inches;

Weight - 9 stone 7;

Chest Measurement - 34-35 inches;

Complexion - Dark;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Dark Brown.

After his successful enlistment, Hugh was sent with the other reinforcement Gunners to Sydney for further training. On the 25th November 1916 Hugh and his reinforcement group set sail from Sydney aboard the HMAT Beltana. The ship arrived at Devonport England on the 29th January 1917.

After being disembarked, Hugh and his group were sent to the Australian Heavy Artillery training camp at Stowlangtoft. He trained here for the next six weeks and on the 16th March 1917 was sent to France.

Hugh was sent into the Royal Garrison Artillery Base Depot at Le Havre. He spent three months there on specialised training and was then returned to the Australian Base Depot at Rouelles. He spent another month there and on the 23rd July 1917 joined the 54th Battery of the 36th Heavy Artillery Group. When he joined them the 54th battery were based at Oost-Dunkerke in operations around the coastal area of Nieuwpoort.

In September 1917 the 36th Heavy Artillery Group were supporting the infantry operations around Ypres and continued this through October 1917. In November and December 1917 they were then supporting the British infantry operations around Cambrai.

On the 28th December 1917 Hugh was sent on a fortnight's leave to the UK.

From January to April 1918 the 36th Heavy Artillery Group were based in Northern France and Belgium. When the Germans launched their offensive in Belgium on April 10th, several guns of the 36th HAG had to be hastily withdrawn before the advancing Germans captured them. The 36th HAG then withdrew into Northern France.

For the next few months they supported the Australian and British infantry in defensive operations in Northern France and Belgium. From August 1918 when the British advance up north commenced they then supported the British and New Zealand infantry. This continued through September, October and November 1918.

Hugh and his unit were given a rest once the Armistice was declared on the 11th November 1918. On the 9th December 1918 Hugh was then granted furlough to England. On his return on the 29th December 1918 he rejoined his Battery and was soon promoted to Temporary Bombardier.

Hugh remained with his unit till the 26th March 1919. He was then sent to the Base Depot at Le Havre and reverted to his previous rank of Gunner. Hugh had a few days in Le Havre and then returned to England on the 2nd April 1919.

After arriving in England Hugh was sent to No.3 Group Camp at Codford. He was there till the 1st May 1919 when he was transferred to No.2 Group Camp at Sutton Veny. While he was here Hugh applied for some Non Military Employment. He applied to study farming which was at Ollerton, Withnall Chorley Lancashire at the farm of a Mr. T Marsden.

This took Hugh from May till August 1919. He then requested an extension of a few more weeks till early September 1919 which was granted. Hugh then returned to the AIF camp at Sutton Veny and was soon on his way home.

On the 25th September 1919 Hugh boarded he transport ship Mahana and set sail for Australia, reaching Fremantle on the 3rd November 1919.

Hugh was discharged from the AIF on the 18th December 1919.

He then returned home to Healey Street Beaconsfield. He found employment as a salesman and then as a commercial ttraveller.

Hugh was married on the 23rd July 1927 to Barbara Mary Hicks and Dallas was born in 1928, followed by Joy 1930 and Donalda in 1933.

The family were living on the corner of South and Lilly Street (111 South Street) which was then renumbered to 53 South Street.

His mother died in Beaconsfield 23rd May 1948 and Hugh continued living at  53 South Street South Fremantle for the rest of his life.

Hugh died in South Fremantle on the 25th July 1959 aged 64. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery Plot Congregational MON D 0017