Pte 15887 Malcolm Guthrie

• Age: 31
• From: Higher Tranmere
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 14th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Corbie Cc
  Panel Ref: I.C.22

Malcom, was born on the 16th September 1884, he was the second of two sons born to William Edward Guthrie and his wife Anne  (née Milne) who were married on the 23rd January 1877 at St. Michael in the City Church, Liverpool. Malcolm's eldest sister, Florence, was born in Liverpool, his other siblings were born in Birkenhead: Charles Edward, Nora Constance, and Dorothy Milne. He was baptised on 10th November 1884 in St. Catherine's Church, Tranmere. 

At the time of the 1891 census, Malcolm, 6, is living at 4 Marlborough Grove, Birkenhead, with his mother and three siblings (his father is evidently away at sea). His mother, is 35, Florence is 12, Charles 9, and Nora 3.

Following his parents death, Malcolm, together with his siblings, all under 14, went to live with his grandfather, John Milne, a retired dock master, who in 1901, aged 86 years, and lived in 31 Hampden Road, Birkenhead. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 31 Hampden Road (recorded as Street on the records), Birkenhead. His grandfather John Milne, is recorded as an 86 year retired dock master who was born in Shaw, Lancashire is head of the household. Malcolm's brother Charles, 19, is an apprentice with the Mersey Dock Board, 16-year old Malcolm is a junior clerk with a marine insurance company, Nora is 13 and Dorothy 8.  Also in the household are his widowed aunt Alice McCracken, 52, and uncle Robert S. Milne 47. Malcolm's sister, Florence, had married Frederick Raby, a mariner, in 1899 and is living in Birkenhead.

When his grandfather died, they were brought up by their uncle, John’s son Robert, a bookkeeper with the Mersey Dock Board, still living at 31 Hampden Road.

On the 1911 Census at 31 Hampden Road, Birkenhead, his uncle Robert Milne is head of the household, he is a 57 year old book-keeper with Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and who was born in Liverpool. Malcolm is shown to be aged 26 and employed as a marine insurance clerk. His brother Charles, 29, also works for the Dock Board, Dorothy, 18, has no occupation.

On 31st August 1914 at St George's Hall in Liverpool, he enlisted, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15887. He gave his age as 29 years and 350 days. He was described as being 5' 8 tall, weighed 137lbs, 35” chest, was of sallow complexion, and had brown eyes and brown hair. He was a clerk born in Birkenhead and stated his religion Wesleyan and as his next of kin was his brother, Charles Edward, of 41 Roxburgh Avenue, Birkenhead. 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

On 12^th January 1916, he was wounded in action by artillery fire and was admitted to 95 Field Ambulance and then 21 Casualty Clearance Station suffering from what were initially described as gunshot wounds to his abdomen, back, head and right hand.

He died of his wounds, now said to have been caused by shellfire, at 06:00 hours on 14^th January 1916.

The Reverend J. M. F. Walker, attached to 21 Casualty Clearing Station, conducted the funeral and he was buried in Corbie Community Cemetery, Grave I C 22.

His headstone bears the epitaph:

"FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW OUR LOVED ONE SLEEPING"

Corbie was about 20 kilometres behind the front when Commonwealth forces took over the line from Berles-au-Bois southward to the Somme in July 1915. The town immediately became a medical centre, with Nos 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations based at La Neuville (the suburb across the Ancre) until October 1916 and April 1917 respectively. In November 1916 the front moved east, but the German advance in the Spring of 1918 came within 10 kilometres of the town and brought with it field ambulances of the 47th Division and the 12th Australian Field Ambulance. The communal cemetery was used for burials until May 1916, when the plot set aside was filled and the extension opened. The majority of the graves in the extension are of officers and men who died of wounds in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The remainder relate to the fighting of 1918. The communal cemetery contains 249 First World War burials, the extension 918. The extension was designed by Charles Holden.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 18th January 1916:

A "PAL'S" DEATH

Private Malcolm Guthrie, 1st Pals Battalion, of Birkenhead, has died from wounds which were received as a result of bursting of a German shell close to where he was serving his guns.

Also in the Liverpool Echo on 19th January 1916

GUTHRIE - January 14th, from shell wounds, at the 21st Casualty Clearing Station, France, aged 31 years, Private Malcolm Guthrie, Machine Gun Section, 17th (Service) Battalion K.L.R. (1st "Pals"), second son of the late Captain and Mrs W. E. Guthrie and the dearly beloved nephew of R. S. Milne 31 Hampden Road, Higher Tranmere.

His next of kin was noted as his uncle Robert Sewell Milne, 31 Hamden Road, Birkenhead.

Soldiers Effects to his executive, R.S.Milne, to brother Charles Edward, including his personal belongings listed as - disc, wrist watch, knife, steel mirror, pocket case, 3 photos, false teeth, letters. His outstanding Army pay of £5 10s 9d and a War Gratuity of £5-10s went to his uncle and brother, who were also granted probate in May 1916, effects of £830-7s-9d. 

No Pension record has been found.

His three medals and effects were sent to his brother, Charles.

Malcolm is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 47 Right

Birkenhead Institute

Men of Birkenhead Cenotaph

And on the family gravestone in Bebington Cemetery -

ALSO MALCOLM
YOUNGER SON OF THE ABOVE
PRIVATE K.L.R. (1st PALS)
DIED OF WOUNDS IN FRANCE
14 JAN. 1916, AGED 31 YEARS

His sister, Florence's brother-in-law, Harry Raby, a Lieutenant with the R.N.R. in command of H.M.S. Ramsey, was killed when his ship was sunk on 08th August 1915 in the North Sea. The Ramsey, on a night patrol out of Scapa Flow, came upon a steamer flying the Russian flag. The Ramsey proceeded alongside the vessel, which then hoisted the German flag and fired at point blank range, killing the commander and crew on the bridge. A torpedo was also fired, resulting in the loss of 55 of the crew.

In 1919 Dorothy, 26, still lived with her uncle. His other siblings were married and also lived in Birkenhead: Charles, 37, in Roxburgh Avenue, Florence, 40, in Westbank Road, and Nora, 32, in Parkend Road.

His uncle Robert died in 1935 aged 82. 

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