77805. Gunner William Henry Cuttoo

153rd. Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born 1882 in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Enlisted on 8th. June 1916 at Great Yarmouth joining the Royal Garrison Artillery, aged 33 years 2 days. Unmarried and a Market Gardner by Trade, 5’ 10” tall, lived with his parents. Died of “Tubercole of Lung” in Grove Military Hospital, Tooting, on Sunday 30th. December 1917, aged 35. Buried in Spalding Cemetery, Grave Reference: 3. 93. U. Son of William Henry and Rebecca Cuttoo of 22 Holbeach Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire. J. T. Cuttoo was his brother. 

William was the only Serviceman with the surname “Cuttoo” to have Fallen during The Great War.

Interestingly, “Cuttoo” is the common name for an Orkney Vole.

William’s Memorial Plaque & Scroll, British War Medal, Victory Medal and articles of personal property were sent to his mother. 

Articles of Personal Property

Gold ring (18 ct), 2 pipes, havasack, necklace & beads, silver match box, cap badge, hair brush, toothbrush, shaving brush, knife, fork, 2 spoons, shell (sea), 3 pocket knives, cig. case, tobacco pouch, razor, cheque book (3 blanks), 2 purses, shaving soap, metal watch, pendant with lock of hair, pr. nail clippers, file etc., pr. braces, & disc, 2 straps, wrist watch & strap, comb, note case, photos, wallet, letters & cards, foreign coins, towel, diary

Casualty Form - Active Service.

Embarked  Southampton  18 12 16

Disembarked  Salonika  29 12 16

G.B.D.  Posted to 153 H. Bty. Salonika  21/1/17

O.C. 153 H. Bty.  Posted to G B Depot Salonika  28.4.17.

50 G H  Admitted  Orchitis  Salonika  18.5.17.

DDMS  To H S “Ghoorka” for Malta  Salonika  30.10.17.

St. George’s  Admitted  Orchitis  Malta  8.10.17.

St. George’s  To Tigne Hp  Malta  31.10.17.

Tigne Hp  Invalided to England  Malta  7.10.17.

Died at Grove Military Hospital, Tooting Grove S.W.17 “Tubercole of Lung”  30.12.17.

O.C.  Grove Military Hospital, Tooting S.W.  31/12/17 A.F.A. 27  Notifying Death

Note of Sympathy to next of kin  4/1/18 “Will” attached

O.C. Grove Mil. Hospl  Forwards accounts for funeral expenses in connection with the late 77805 Gnr. W.H. Cuttoo

Buried in Spalding Lincolnshire Cemetery

Served 1 year 239 days

Handwritten question on an official letter:

Will you please state if this man did NOT serve either at Home or abroad during the Great War. Will you also please say if he served with the H.A.C.

Handwritten reply on same letter:

Completed and returned. This man (served?) during the Great War both at home and abroad, he did not serve in the H.A.C.

William is also Commemorated on The Spalding War Memorial

1914   THEIR NAME LIVETH   1918

1939   FOR EVERMORE   1945

In love and honour 

of these who 

gave their lives 

for their country 

in 

the years of war 

MCMXIV - MCMXIX 

This memorial is raised 

in their home 

by the men and women 

of 

Spalding.

1914 -1918

Barry Jenkins