20th July 1917, page 5 A TRENCH VIEW OF AIR RAIDS AND REPRISALS Sergeant J Gutteridge, of Bromley, was never a pessimist, as our readers have had a number of occasions to know – the men give a lead in cheerfulness and solid confidence which could well be followed by a great many at home – and his view on the subject of air raids and reprisals which is occupying so much civilian attention is worth reading. We are sorry he is wounded, and glad it is only slightly. We…
Year: 2017
I came to think of him as a ‘friend’ – Letters of Gutteridge
From the beginning of 1917, letters from John Gutteridge rarely appear in the paper. Whether this was because there were more pressing matters report such as problems on the Home Front, as food prices and availability became more difficult and there was a growing number of regulations regarding food production and distribution (although rationing was not introduced, though frequently threatened, until 1918) and there was a lack of space. Or whether John Gutteridge was just not having the time or inclination to write, we shall never know. In 1917, there was…
The boys did justice to the food provided by the Colonel
26th January 1918, page 2 STILL CHEERY AND BRIGHT Sergeant Gutteridge, of the West Kents, writes home another of his cheerful letters , in which he says they are all merry and bright. “Had a great time yesterday. The company had a dinner and concert. The boys did justice to the food provided by the Colonel of the regiment, and the concert was a great success, the chief item being an original chorus by the sergeants of ‘B’ Company, entitled, ‘ The Nine Point Two,’ which caused some fun. Today…
Another Christmas out here, but we live in hopes of Frits giving in before long
20th October 1916, page 3 SERGEANT GUTTERIDGE STILL GOING STRONG ON CHEERFULNESS Look like having another Christmas out here, but we live in hopes of Frits giving in before long. Dear Sir, _ Still we live, and no complaints. More work than worry at present. We have been having a fairly good time these last (few) weeks, football, boxing &c., being our chief items with the regiment. We have now turned our attention to the more serious part of the programme, and are now leaving Frits with a decent few…
Update from the Front Line
28th August 1916, page 6 Often the Bromley & District Times published short updates on the Gutteridge to inform readers of his current status on the Front. We are glad to receive a card from our cheerful friend, Sergeant J Gutteridge, advising us that he is well notwithstanding all the strenuous demands on time and energy there is at the Front
Places of recreation for soldiers in 1917
A BROMLEY EFFORT We hear on all hands of the splendid work done by Army Huts at the Front, and how much they are appreciated by our men. But it is not only abroad that these huts are needed. In our own county of Kent alone are number of men, some engaged in guarding our shores, others still in training: men of the Royal Navy, men from all parts of the United Kingdom, men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Royal Naval Air Service. It…
We Expected the D.C.M. for Our Good Work
28th June 1916, page 10 Another letter from Sergeant Gutteridge of Bromley explaining the fun the ‘boy’ had trying to keep the soldiers awake! Of course we expected the D.C.M. for our good work in keeping the men awake “We had some fun a few nights ago. We had to “stand to” and the boys were allowed to lay down their equipment and helmets on, but not to go to sleep. We found it difficult to keep them awake, so a few gathered round and told them the methods used…
Award for Gallantry – Corporal Bert Taylor
AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY: CORPORAL BERT TAYLOR Corporal Bert Taylor, of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, who has been awarded the Military Medal, is the second son of Mr & Mrs William Taylor, of 3 Highfield Cottages, Swanley Junction. He is 27 years of age and attended the Farningham Hill School, being afterwards employed at Messrs W H Smith and Sons’ bookstall at Swanley Junction for some time under Mr Struckett. He enlisted in the early part of 1916, and in July of the same year was sent to France. He has…
Must-have Christmas Gifts for the Family c.1917
Life may have been tough in 1917, but Christmas would soon arrive and there were presents to buy. Below is a selection of advertisements for Christmas presents printed in the Bromley & District Times newspaper. Here are some Christmas ideas for the family from Herbert Collins Ltd, of Market Square, Bromley. Who advertised selling “a most varied and pleasing selection of up-to-date Novelties for Christmas Gifts.” Hundreds of suitable articles for Christmas Gifts are on show. FOR OUR TROOPS: Warm knitted scarfs, woollen gloves and other ‘comforts’ for present needs.…
What was happening in Bromley 100 years ago?
1917 was a bad year. The death toll was going up. If the casualties of the Battle of the Somme had come as a terrible shock, Passchendaele was even worse. Men were dying on the battlefield by their thousand. Food was in short supply and prices were rising. What was happening in Bromley 100 years ago? Here are some of the items occupying the columns of the District Times from the 30th November, 1917 With so many men away at the Front and few to keep an eye on them,…