HUTCHINSON William John 2/Lt

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Surname: HUTCHINSON;

Forename(s): William John;

Initials: WJ;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Born in: Port Talbot;

Enlistment Date: 22-Aug-1915;

Resided in: Port Talbot;

Previous Regiment: R Fus;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 88 Coy;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 25-May-1917;

Other Data: Roll of Honour, Vol II, Sect 1, p 149 - Portrait: son of Benjamin Hutchinson of 5 Norton Terrace, Glyncorrwg, Port Talbot, by his wife Mary Ann, d. of W.Williams of Glyncorrwg on 7/9/1895; educ County Sch, Port Talbot; was articled to Mr T Gibb, Architect. Enlisted 22/8/1915 and was Swedish Drill Instructor for 8 months. Obtained commsn 25/2/1917, served with the BEF in F&F and was KIA during the fighting at Arras on 25/5/17. Buried at Monchy-le-Preux Cem. His CO wrote - …"He was killed during a period in the trenches. Officers, NCOs and men of this unit wish to convey to you our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy in your sad bereavement and we hope it will be some measure of comfort for you ro know that deathwas practically instantaneous and that he died in the noble performance of his duty".. And his Sgt…" this is to convey our deepest sympathy, myself and gun-team,to you in this sad loss of your son, a young and gallant officer;we all felt it very keenly and we held him in great respect, we could hardly believe it true. You have great satisfaction in knowing that he suffered no pain. He always took the greatest interest in us,always seeing that we were all quite comfortable. Only in the afternoon a short time before his death, he was telling me of his school-day experiences. He was killed by a shell about 7.30pm 25/5/1917. His servant was deeply touched when the news was conveyed to him, especially as he had only been with him one month. I expect you will be hearing from his servant in the course of a few days".

The unit's war diary relates what happened:

An enemy aeroplane was brought down very low indeed by the 88th Machine Gun Company... but a shell burst amongst them as they were firing, causing several casualties including four officers, and the plane righted itself and flew away. The officers killed were Lieuts H. Leighton, W.H. Fry and 2/Lt Hutchinson of the 88th MG Coy and 2/Lt N. Grant RFA.'2 Curiously Lieutenant H. Leighton was taken back for burial at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, and Second Lieutenant W.H. Fry died of wounds on 26th May, being buried at Duisans British Cemetery. Second Lieutenant Noel Grant was serving with B/156 Bde RFA and is buried with the others at Orange Trench.Above from "Walking Arras" Paul Reed;

Other Notes: HUTCHINSON, Second Lieutenant, WILLIAM JOHN, 88th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). Killed in action 25th May 1917. Age 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Hutchinson, of 5, Norton Terrace, Glyncorrwg, Port Talbot. Glam. E. 6. Orange Trench Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux - Pas De Calais, France.;

END OF RECORD.

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