ROBERT FORMAN GUTHRIE 

Robert Forman Guthrie was born at “Lyndhurst House”, Mossley Hill, Liverpool, on 19th August 1891, the son of Alexander Guthrie and Marian Guthrie. His father had been born in Edinburgh, on 10th March,1846, and his mother had been born in 1853, in Saltown, Berwickshire, Scotland. Alexander Guthrie had been married previously, marrying Miss Mary Ann Martin Swanston, at Marylebone, on 10th May 1872. By 1873, they were living in California, United States of America, where Mary gave birth to 2 children: Alice Christian Guthrie (born 18th February 1873), and Mary Guthrie (born 20th June 1874). Sadly, 5 day’s after Mary was born, Mary Ann Martin Guthrie died after complications from the birth of her daughter. By 1877, Alexander had returned to Scotland, and married his second wife, Marian Eliza Fairbairn, on 19th April 1877, at Marlebone. They went on to have a further 10 children; Thomas Guthrie (born in Liverpool, on 3rd May 1879); Frances Guthrie (born in Liverpool, on 18th October 1879); Ernest F. Guthrie (born in Liverpool,1882); Helen Guthrie (born in Liverpool, 1884); Alexander Gordon Guthrie (born in Liverpool, on 19th April 1885); Marian Elsie Guthrie (born in Liverpool, on 23rd November 1886); Francis Clint Guthrie (born in Liverpool, on 31st July 1888); Charles Clement Guthrie (born in Liverpool, on 7th August 1890);  Robert Forman Guthrie (born on 19th August 1891); and Norman Balfour Guthrie (born on 5th June 1896). In 1891, Alexander Guthrie was a Merchant on the Pacific Coast of the United States of America, and in Liverpool, and was living with his large family at “Lyndhurs Houset”, Wavertree, Liverpool, and he employed 2 servant’s: Ida M. G. Richardson (Domestic Governess / born in Ireland, in 1865); and Anne Evans (Domestic Cook / born in Llandils, Wales, in 1859). His children: Thomas, Frances, Ernest, Helen, Alexander, and Marian, were all still at school. By 1901, they were still living at the same address, with Alexander employed as a Grain Merchant, and now employing 6 servant’s: Sarah Adams (Domestic Cook / born in Sussla, Chichester, in 1854); Jessie Stewart (Domestic Waitress / born in Scotland, in 1855); Charlotte Pearson (Domestic Nurse / born in Liverpool, in 1856); Jane Ellis (Domestic Housemaid / born in Wellington, Shropshire, in 1853); Nellie Salisbury (Domestic Housemaid / born in Liverpool, in 1882); and Alice Mason (Domestic Kitchen Maid / bon in Seacombe, in 1881). By 1911, they had moved to the Wirral, and were living at “The Roscote”, Heswall, and still had 6 servants serving the family – 3 from the previous house (Sarah Adams, Charlotte Pearson, and Jane Ellis), and 3 new servant’s: Lena Salisbury (Domestic Housemaid / born in Liverpool, in 1882); Emily Hollins (Domestic Kitchen maid / born in Awole, in 1892); and Alice Smith (Domestic Housemaid / born in Liverpool, in 1895). Alexander Guthrie was a General Merchant and Ship Owner, and a Justice of the Peace. Robert Forman Guthrie received his education at Greenbank School, Loretto College from 1905 – 1910, where he became Head Boy, and Captain of the XV football team and the XI cricket team. He had also served in the Loretto College Officer Training Corps with the rank of Sergeant. From Loretto School, Robert Forman Guthrie went to King’s College, Cambridge, and served in the University Officer Training Corps. He graduated with a B.A., and following his graduation, he secured a position initially as a Clerk, at Messrs. Balfour, Williamson & Co., Liverpool. Robert Forman Guthrie enjoyed music, and “had a voice of fine quality”.

 

On 3rd February 1915, Robert Forman Guthrie applied for a commission, and on 18th April 1915, was commissioned into the 1st/10th (Scottish) Bn King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. He was a very tall man standing 6ft 5in. On 28th August 1915, he was promoted to Captain, and was drafted to France on 16th July 1916. Captain Guthrie may have taken part in an attack on Delville Wood, on 22nd July 1916, which his battalion assisted in. He was killed in action by machine-gun fire leading his company, on 9th August 1916, attacking the village of Guillemont. His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier & Face 1D, 8B, or 8C, The Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

Captain Guthrie’s medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

 

He is commemorated on/in: The Trinity With Palm Grove United Reformed & Methodist Church war memorial, war memorial plaques and roll of honour inside the same church; the Liverpool Scroll of Fame Book; Heswall war memorial; St. Peter’s Church war memorial, Heswall; King’s College, Cambridge war memorial; De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour Book; the Liverpool Scottish Roll of Honour; and the Scottish National War Memorial.



Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.