Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.

Detail :

The Chronicle of the 20th October 1916 provides his story and detail:
"Sad Loss For Local Families. - Feelings of deep sorrow were caused in many circles in Glossop and Gamesley districts on Sunday last on the receipt of the sad news that Captain David Cuthbert, of Gamesley House, Gamesley, had been killed in action during recent heavy fighting by the British Troops in France. The sad news was confirmed by the receipt of the following telegram by his wife on Monday morning:- “Mrs D. Cuthbert, Gamesley House, Glossop. Deeply regret to inform you that Captain D. Cuthbert, Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action Oct. 7th The Army Council express their sympathy. Secretary, War Office.”

Killed Whilst Leading His Men Through The Heaviest Fire - Captain Cuthbert died like a true British hero, and in full maintenance of the magnificent traditions associated with the British Army. This is nobly borne out by the appended letter which was received on Sunday morning by Mrs. Cuthbert, and which had been forwarded by the Commanding Officer:- “Dear Mrs. Cuthbert, – It is with deepest regret that I must inform you that your husband was killed leading his Company in an attack on the 7th. He was a most gallant officer, and died leading his men through the heaviest fire. Although he has been with us such a short tome, all of us, officers and men alike, had come to regard him as a personal friend, and sincerely mourn his loss. All ranks join with me in offering you our sincerest sympathy.”

THREE LIEUTENANTS TRIBUTE "HE SET A FINE EXAMPLE" - The following letter of sincere appreciation and sympathy from three Lieutenants has also been received by Mrs. Cuthbert: “Dear Mrs. Cuthbert,- It is with our deepest regret and sympathy that we have to tell you that your husband was killed in action during the advance on the October 7th. The knowledge that he was leading his men in action will, we hope, lighten your irreparable loss, – one felt alike by all who served with him to the last. He set a splendid example, and we all feel we have lost a friend as well as a leader, Yours respectfully, Arthur A. Enderby, 1st Lieut., Henry John Marsden, 2nd Lieut., Stanley H. Rivron 2nd. Lieut.”

KILLED CLOSE TO THE GERMAN LINES. A further letter sent to the depot in Edinburgh, where the late Captain David Cuthbert received part of his training, states that the deceased officer was killed during a big advance on October 7th, and he was leading the Company when he was shot in the head, close to the German lines. At the time the Company was relieved his body had not been brought in, as there were so many wounded to be attended to. The letter states that the Company sustained a goodly number of casualties, as they were in the foremost point of the salient, and came under concentrated shell and machine gun fire. Many heroes fell in the brave and dashing attack on the German positions.

Such are the personal tributes to the manly qualities and heroic worth of the gallant officer, who has sacrificed all for his country, in the great and righteous fight in which the best manhood of Britain is engaged; he has given up splendid business prospects and left loved ones behind him in order to do his part in the great conflict. And whilst nobly and and bravely fulfilling that duty he has met a hero’s death. Deep as must be the sorrow of the military comrades connected with him, it is even more poignant for those who intimately knew him in the district, to whom the news of his death came as a heavy blow, and heartfelt sympathy will go out to the grief-stricken families in their sad and irreparable loss.

The late Captain Cuthbert, who was 30 years of age, belong to an old and honoured Glossop family. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cuthbert, of Spire Hollin, who naturally feel deep pride in themilitary progress of their soldier son. He promptly responded to his country’s call for men, for in the last week of August, 1914, or shortly after the outbreak of was, he joined the Manchester University and Public School Battalion as a Private. The Battalion being attached to the Royal Fusiliers; he underwent military training is various parts of the country, and when stationed at Oxford he went in for special military courses at Cambridge and there passed five special military examinations, and completed his training in Edinburgh. He was gazetted as 1st Lieutenant in the first week in November, 1914, and was promoted to Captain on the 17th July this year, and received many heartfelt congratulation from local friend on his promotion. He was thorough and enthusiastic in all that he took in hand, and this enthusiasm he imparted to his military duties, leaving nothing undone to make himself a highly efficient and capable officer. He left Gamesley for France on the 12th September last, left London on the 13th, and arrived in France on the 14th.

The deceased officer completed his education at the Manchester Grammar School, and prior to joining the Colours was the manager of the Manchester branch of the British Crown Assurance Co. He married five years ago last August Miss Harriet Shepley, only daughter of Mr. C, W. Shepley J.P. of Gamesley House, and he leaves a widow and two children – a boy aged 21/2 years and a girl aged 4 years. Deceased was formerly closely connected with St.Luke’s Church and Sunday School, Glossop and was a talented member of the choir, being possessed of a fine baritone voice. It is interesting to state that he sang the first solo in the new Church of St. Lukes.

He was also an enthusiastic member of the cricket and football clubs connected with the St. Luke’s Sunday School, and his bright, breezy straightforward personality made him very popular with all connected with the Church and Schools, and by them his memory will be affectionately revered. In later years he was a member of Holy Trinity, Dinting and Glossop Cricket Clubs and a member of the Devonshire Lodge of Freemasons, Glossop and during the week the flag has been flying half-mast at the Masonic Rooms, Norfolk Square, as a token of respect to the memory of the gallant officer. He was also a member of the Glossop Conservative Club and other institutions and was always ready to help any cause which had at heart the welfare of the district. His pleasant company, his kindly and sociable disposition, will be greatly missed in many circles, but the loss is the greatest for the loved ones who are left to silently mourn the very sad and heavy blow which has befallen them."

Masonic :

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley