GS Guyon

[Guest gs1]

Trying to find out about George Sutherland Guyon, who was Major in Royal Fusiliers, served in Gallipoli and Africa,then was transferred to become lieutenant general. Bradford Pals, being killed in the first moments of the 1st July massacre, The Somme. Any details would be of interest

[johnboy]

From Wellington Auctions

Lieutenant-Colonel G.S. Guyon, West Yorkshire Regiment, the Commanding Officer of the 16th (1st Bradford Pals) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment at Serre on 1st July 1916. 1914-15 Star named to Major G.S. Guyon, Royal Fusiliers. British War Medal and Victory Medal both named to Lieutenant Colonel G.S. Guyon. Memorial Plaque to George Sutherland Guyon. George Sutherland Guyon was born at Hastings on January 29, 1875. Educated at Brighton College 1886-1891. Commission 2nd Lieut. In the Royal Fusiliers (from Militia) May 15, 1897. Promoted Lieut. August 10, 1898. Went to South Africa as Lieut. 2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers on the Arundel Castle February 12, 1900. Took part in operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900; operations in the Transvaal east of Pretoria from July to November 29, 1900. Operation in Cape Colony, north of Orange River, including the action at Ruidam. Left South Africa as a Captain on May 24, 1901 and arrived at Southampton on June 12, 1901. Awarded the QSA Medal with 3 bars and KSA medal with 2 bars. (Sadly these medals are not with the group). Promoted Major Royal Fusiliers on June 18, 1912. Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers in the Great War where he led the Battalion in the landings at ‘X’ Beach at Helles Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Guyon suffered a Gun Shot Wound to the head in the landing. He continued to serve with the Battalion through some of the bloodiest fighting at Gallipoli through May-June-July and August 1915. Evacuated in January 1916 and eventually embarked for France where it was readied for participation in the ‘Big Push’ on the Somme. ‘On the eve of the Great Battle of July 1, 1916 Guyon was placed in command of the 16th (Service) Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Bradford Pals) in their positions in front of Serre.’ The failed attack on Serre has been called the Death of the Pals, and the graveyard of northern Pals Battalions. The disaster came in massive proportions: ‘Two years in the making. Ten minutes in the destroying. That was our history.’ Lieut. Col. Guyon was killed in the opening minutes of the battle on July 1, 1916. ‘…At five minutes to zero Major Guyon, Ransom and myself left our headquarters for the front line. We had only been in SAP A about 2 minutes when Major Guyon was struck through the helmet by a bullet. Ransom and I were alongside at the time and bandaged him up, though unconscious and apparently dying, the wound being in the temple…’ (Lieut. C. F. Laxton ADC to Lt. Col. Guyon) ‘…the German machine-gun fire was terrible. Our colonel was hit after only a few steps along the trench. I helped to prop him up against the trench side. Then, we climbed on to the top of the trench…’ (Pte. W.H.T. Carter 1st Bradford Pals) Guyon’s only son was born in October 1916 to wife Winfred Mary, never to know his father. Interesting to note that Guyon’s family placed an in memoriam note in the London Times every July 1st until 1921. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial for the missing

[michaeldr]

From Wellington Auctions

Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers in the Great War where he led the Battalion in the landings at ‘X’ Beach at Helles Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Guyon suffered a Gun Shot Wound to the head in the landing. He continued to serve with the Battalion through some of the bloodiest fighting at Gallipoli through May-June-July and August 1915. Evacuated in January 1916

The 2nd Battalion RF war diary is held at the NA under Reference: WO/95/4310 Image Reference: 379

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the WD entries on the landing are not clear (to me at least) as to exactly when and how this officer was wounded, however later on, the WD does note that Major Guyon rejoined the battalion as CO on 16^th July 1915.

The 2/RF were joined by George Pirie RAMC as their RMO and his diary (see Frontline Medic – Gallipoli, Somme, Ypres published by Helion, 2014, ISBN 978 1 909982 89 5) contains a few mentions of Guyon.

Amongst them; 5^th August 1915: “Major Guyon also had his periscope smashed by a sniper, but he escaped except for a scratch.”

His humour is mentioned by Pirie on 18^th August 1915: “As protection to our men in the barricades we have overhead screens made of netting wire so when the bomb strikes the screen it just bounces off and bursts outside the barricade. Major Guyon is very amusing about the barricade. He calls it the rabbit hutch. Our line is very close to the Turks, ranging from 25 yards to 180.....”

Pirie heard of Guyon's death and records (12 July 1916) “He was my O.C. In Gallipoli and a nicer man never lived.”

regards

Michael

[tharkin56]

Brighton college have a memorial book i have some of the pages, i will look.

Trevor

[Bradford WW1 Group]

Two grandsons of Lt Col Guyon attended the 1 July Ceremony in Bradford last year. Terrific to meet them and share their enthusiasm for tracking down grandfather!