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Albert was the son of David and Elizabeth Ann Guthrie, of 471, Newcastle Street, Perth, Western Australia. He served with the 2nd Field Company, Australian Engineers, attached to the 1st Australian Division, and had seen service at Egypt and Gallipoli before taking ill, and being evacuated to Britain, where he was sent to the Red Cross Hospital at Carmarthen. Albert died at Carmarthen on 9 November 1915. He was 25 years old, and was buried with full military honours at Carmarthen Cemetery. A local newspaper contained the following account of his funeral; ‘The funeral of Sergeant [sic] A. J. Guthrie, Australian R.E., who passed away at the Red Cross Hospital, Carmarthen, took place on, November 11, the interment being at the cemetery. The Rev. B. Parry Griffiths, vicar of St. Peter's assisted by the Rev. Itar Edwards, curate, officiated. Despite the rain, large crowds of townspeople watched the mournful cortege on the way to the burial ground, and there were manifestations of genuine sympathy in all quarters. Preceding the hearse was the Boy Scouts Band, under the scoutmaster, Mr. G. Humphreys, and a large number of wounded soldiers. The coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack, was covered with a very large number of beautiful wreaths. The chief mourners were Private H. D. Guthrie, of the A.I.F. (brother of deceased), who has also been wounded; and an uncle of the deceased. Amongst those present were Lieutenant-General Sir James Hills-Johnes, V.C.. G.C.B., Dolaucothy: Mr. Pryse-Rice, Llwynybrain; Revs. A. Fuller Mills, W. D. Rowlands and E. Ungoed Thomas; Drs. Parry, Williams, and Harris; Nurse Ditcham, and a number of other nurses. The Last Post was sounded at the graveside.

He is commemorated on the Carmarthen Red Cross Hospital (WW1) War Memorial.

Carmarthen Infirmary, which is situated at Priory Street, Carmarthen, was founded in 1847 upon the agreement of the town's upper classes in order to supply the sick poor with medical treatment. The original Infirmary was formed inside Carmarthen Jail, but this proved to be unsuitable, necessitating the building of a purpose built Infirmary which was opened in July 1858. The Infirmary was used for treating military casualties during the Great War, after being taken over by the Red Cross, and was equipped with twelve beds for the treatment of wounded soldiers, sponsored by the Red Cross. It was extended in 1936, and upon the creation of the NHS in 1948 became an NHS Hospital, although Glangwili Hospital, which had been built as an American Military Hospital during WW2, was already being utilised for treating the local people. Carmarthen Infirmary eventually closed in 1996, and has since fallen into disrepair.

Albert is not named on the Carmarthen County War Memorial roll, but as he is buried in the town, he should perhaps be commemorated here?

However, it is not unusual in the United Kingdom for a man who is buried locally, not to be honoured on the civic or in church war memorial especially, as in this case, he had no connections with Carmarthen, other than having passed away in the Red Cross Hospital there.

Commemorated in Trinity Uniting (formerly Congregational) Church, Perth, Western Australia. Memorial consists of two arched stained glass windows (inscription left: 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage'; inscription right: 'I have fought the good fight. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.' Centred beneath the windows is a small brass plaque: 'World's War. Commenced 4th August 1914. Armistice signed 11th November 1918. Peace signed 28th June 1919. In the cause of truth combined for the freedom of mankind.' Beneath the windows and flanking the plaque left and right are two larger brass plaques bearing the names of members of the parish who served in the war. Those who died are marked with an asterisk and the words 'These died for us'. Parents: David and Eliza GUTHRIE, 471 Newcastle Street, Perth, Western Australia

Residential address at the time of enlistment was 54 Powlett Street, East Melbourne, Victoria

Son of David and Eiza Ann Guthrie of 471 Newcastle Street, Perth WA

Medals: 1914-15 Star,  British War Medal, Victory Medal

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Albert John Guthrie was born in Perth, Western Australia on 23rd April, 1890 to parents David & Eliza Ann Guthrie (nee Harvey).

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 26th August, 1914 as a 24 year old, single, Carpenter from 54 Powlett Street, East Melbourne, Victoria.

On 26th August, 1914 Sapper Albert John Guthrie was posted to 2nd Field Company, Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force.

Sapper Albert John Guthrie, Service number 36, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Orvieto (A3) on 21st October, 1914 with 2nd Field Company, Australian Engineers.

He proceeded to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on 5th April, 1915.

On 1st May, 1915 Sapper Guthrie was reported to have a sprained ankle while posted at Gallipoli. He was taken to 2nd Field Ambulance at Gallipoli on 7th May, 1915 with Influenza &  was discharged to lines the same day.

Sapper was appointed to Lance Corporal on 25th May, 1915.

Lance Corporal Albert John Guthrie was to be H. Q. Sergeant from 14th August, 1915 then 2nd Corporal from 30th August, 1915.

**(Note: there is a discrepancy with the rank of Albert John Guthrie – the change in ranks was only recorded on the Statement of Service form – not the Casualty  Form - Active Service nor the War Gratuity Schedule.)

On 10th September, 1915 Lance Corporal (**2nd Corporal) Guthrie was sent to Hospital sick with Gastritis. He was transferred to Hospital Ship from 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Anzac on 8th September, 1915 (date as recorded) with Gastritis. Lance Corporal was transferred from Hospital Ship Gascon to Hospital at Malta on 16th September, 1915 & admitted to St. David’s Hospital at Malta with Gastritis.  Lance Corporal Albert John Guthrie was transferred to Hospital Ship Karoola from Malta on 27th September, 1915 & embarked for England.

He was admitted sick to 3rd Western General Hospital at Cardiff, Wales on 5th October, 1915.

Lance Corporal Albert John Guthrie died on 9th November, 1915 at Red Cross Hospital, Carmarthen, Wales from Internal Haemorrhage.

(Note: some forms in the Service Record file of Lance Corporal A. J. Guthrie have the date of death as 8th November, 1915 – namely Army Form 2090 “Report of a Death of a Soldier” & a Memorandum to The Secretary, Department of Defence, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne from Australian Military Office, Westminster, London, England – both forms were signed by H. C. Smart. All other forms in the file have the date of death as 9th November, 1915 – Statement of Service, Field Service – Report of a Death of a Soldier, War Gratuity Schedule, Casualty Form – Active Service)

He was buried in Carmarthen Cemetery, Carmarthen, Wales & has a Private Headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/carmarthen.html