ANZAC Search

Frederick James Guttridge - Information

Frederick was a son of Loftus Percy and Campbelltown born Elizabeth Mary Guttridge. Loftus and Elizabeth eventually resided in Minto, after Frederick was born in 1896. Here, they welcomed their second son Harold in 1905. Loftus and Elizabeth then moved to Roslyn on Victoria Parade in Flemington. Here, Frederick gained experience in the militia while working as a bank clerk. When the war broke out, Frederick decided to enlist in the AIF, volunteering on the 14th of September 1915 in Holsworthy.

After training, Frederick was sent overseas for war service, leaving Sydney on the 12th of December 1915 onboard the HMAT Berrima. Frederick arrived in Egypt and was taken on strength to the 19th Battalion in January 1916. After further training, his unit proceeded to the Western Front in France. Frederick and his unit then took part in operations during the Somme Offensive. While fighting at Pozières, he was hit on the 25th of July receiving multiple gunshot wounds. Frederick was sadly hit in his neck, face, left side and right leg. In August, he was evacuated from Calais to England, and admitted to hospital in Guilford. Frederick remained in great pain from his many injuries. A medical review board found that he was unable to return to active service. He then left England for Australia on the Wiltshire on the 12th of November 1916. He arrived in Sydney in January 1917, and was discharged from the AIF in May.