Private Bertie John Guppy
Royal Tank Corps, 531415, previously 14th Hussars, 8167, 20th Hussars
Date of Birth: 6th of September 1890
Place of Birth: Long Load, Yeovil, Somerset
Date of Death: 11th of January 1969
Awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
Bertie John Guppy was born on the 11th of January 1890. His mother's maiden name was Warren.
In the 1901 census, Bertie was living at Long Load, Yeovil, Somerset. His father was Henry Guppy, a butcher, born 1842, and his mother, Emma, born 1863.
| George A Guppy 1889 | Bertie John Guppy 1890 |
| Thomas W Guppy 1893 | Charles Guppy 1896 |
| William J Guppy 1898 | Unnamed daughter 1901 |
Bertie married Beatrice Louisa Pratt in the 2nd quarter of 1911, registered at Newton Abbot.
Bertie and Beatrice were living at 10, Alexandra Terrace, Teignmouth, Devon. They had two children, Albert Henry Guppy and Beatrice Maud Guppy who died on the 7th of July 1921.
Bertie enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps on the 15th of January 1912 at Teignmouth, Devon. His previous regiment being the 14th Hussars.
August 1914 the British Expeditionary Force landing in France, NAM. 1979-09-2-1 National Army Museum, Out of Copyright
Following the outbreak of war, Field Marshal Sir John French’s BEF was sent across the Channel to support France. These were well-trained and experienced soldiers.
Bertie was taken Prisoner-of-War sometime before the 25th of December 1914.
In August 1914, the 20th Hussars deployed to the Western Front, where it fought mainly in a dismounted role, only serving on horseback for the first and last months of the conflict.
It fought in several battles including Mons, the Marne, the Aisne, and the First Battle of Ypres in 1914. It was later engaged at Arras and Cambrai in 1917 and at Amiens in 1918.
Bertie survived WW1 but was affected as these articles will show;
Western Morning News 27th of May 1930 Page 1
Western Morning News 27th of May 1930 Page 2
Western Morning News 26th of July 1932
In the 1939 register, Bertie is living at 16, Everton Road, Yeovil, Somerset, with his wife Beatrice (Nellie). Bertie was working in a butcher's. Also present was Sheila J Frost (Guppy) aged 9 years.
Bertie died on the 11th of January 1969 at Exe Vale Hospital, Exminster, Devon.
