Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 300264 Reginald John Guppy

Age: 27
From: Sherbourne, Dorset
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
K.I.A Wednesday 8th May 1918
Commemorated at: Kemmel No1 French Cemetery
Panel Ref: II. H. 12.

Reginald John Guppy was born in the September quarter of 1892 in Sherborne, Dorset and was the son of Arthur John Guppy and his wife Bessie (nee Mullett) . His parents married in the December quarter of 1881.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at Newland, Sherborne, Dorset. Reginald's father, Arthur, is aged 37, born 1864 in Milborne Port, Somerset and his occupation is recorded as a haulier, whilst his mother, Bessie, is aged 38, born 1863 in Sherborne, Dorset as were their twelve children. William aged 17, born 1884 is a Carter for a haulier, Arthur aged 15, born 1886, Edward aged 14, born 1887, Jessie aged 13, born 1888, Bessie aged 11, born 1890, Florence aged 10, born 1891, Reginald aged 8, born 1893, Daisy aged 6, born 1895, Earnest aged 5, born 1896, Percy aged 4, born 1897, Lily aged 2, born 1899 and Rosa aged 1, born 1900.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at Bristol Road, Sherborne. Father Arthur aged 47, occupation haulier, mother Bessie is aged 47. They have had 15 children all of whom have survived. Those children recorded on the Census are; Jessie Isabella aged 22 ironer in laundry, Bessie Louise aged 21 washer in laundry, Florence May aged 20 ironer in laundry, Reginald John aged 19 carter, Daisy Bell aged 17 packer, Percy aged 15 at school, Lilly aged 12 at school, Rosa Maud aged 11 at school, Wilfred R. aged 10, at school, Harold aged 8 at school.

He enlisted in Sherborne, Dorset serving as Private 231569 in the Dorsetshire Yeomanry. His medal index card and Medal Roll show that he also served as Private 40007 with the 1/ Lancashire Hussars before his transfer to the King's Liverpool Regiment. He was serving in the 18^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300264 when he was killed in action on the 08^th May 1918, aged 27, during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion diary records:

"The 6th and 7th of May 1918 the Artillery fire of the opposing guns was heavy, the enemy using a large proportion of gas shells. At 3.00 a.m.on the 8th May 1918 the Hostile Guns put down a very high explosive barrage along the line with Gas shell."

Reginald John was one of the casualties. He has the unusual distinction of being recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing in Belgium but also having a grave. He will have originally been reported as having no known grave, however his body was found and as such he was buried accordingly.

He now rests at Kemmel No1 French Cemetery, Belgium where the inscription on his headstone reads:

“PEACE PERFECT PEACE”

Soldiers Effects and Pension to father Arthur John.

The family had alread suffered the loss of Reginald's brother Private 10403 Arthur John Guppy of the 10403 5/Dorsetshire Regiment who died on 08th August 1915 in Gallipoli. Arthur's name is recorded on the Helles Memorial in Turkey on Panel 137 -140.

Reginald and Arthur are also remembered on the Sherborne Abbey War Memorial.

His mother died in the September quarter of 1929 aged 66.

His father died in the September quarter of 1937 aged 74.

Grateful thanks are extended to Sarah Guppy for permission to use the photograph of Reginald.

We currently have no further information on Reginald John Guppy, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Killed On This Day.

(108 Years this day)
Sunday 16th June 1918.
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(105 Years this day)
Thursday 16th June 1921.
Captain Leonard George Duncan
43 years old