The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:25 pm Post subject: JAMES DUNBAR GUTHRIE

Located within St. Paul's Cathedral, Dundee;

JAMES DUNBAR GUTHRIE LIEUT: R.H.A.
SECOND SON OF JAMES BAILLIE GUTHRIE OF CRAIGIE
WAS BORN 16 JAN. 1857 AND DIED 22 JAN. 1885 OF
WOUNDS RECEIVED JAN. 17 AT ABU BLEA WELLS UPPER
EGYPT : A GOOD LIFE HATH BUT FEW DAYS BUT A
GOOD NAME ENDURETH FOREVER - IN MEMORY OF
SO EXCELLENT A SOLDIER AND COMRADE THIS BRASS HAS
BEEN SET HERE BY SOME OF HIS BROTHER OFFICERS

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 2:32 pm Post subject:

Gunner Albert Smith, Royal Artillery, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the incident which ultimately took Guthrie's life;

"On January 17th 1885, the Soudanese broke our square, and the soldiers were compelled to fall back slightly. By this a gun was left in a comparatively unprotected position, and a native rushed at Lieutenant Guthrie, who was in command of it, and who, at that moment was superintending its working. Being unarmed, he would certainly have been speared had not Smith warded off the blow with a handspike, which momentary diversion gave the officer time to draw his sword and by a blow bring the Soudanee to the ground. In falling, however the savage cut at him with a long knife, which Smith again warded off, not however, in time to prevent the infliction of a severe wound in the officer’s thigh. The native was then killed by Smith, but Lieutenant Guthrie died a few days afterwards from his wound".

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 85710