Guyzance Tragedy, 17th January 1945.

Amble and District
Local History

Guyzance Tragedy, 17th January 1945.

Ten soldiers serving with the 10th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), were tragically swept to their deaths during a river crossing exercise on the river Coquet at Guyzance in Northumberland. Despite warnings from locals about the risks of entering the river when in flood, the exercise went ahead, with the soldiers entering the river one mile upstream of the old Guyzance Ironworks weir. Losing control of their craft they were rapidly swept downstream, overturning at the weir. Sadly due to the weight of their equipment and the force of the river the men were unable to save themselves. All were aged 18.

The memorial is a copper plaque mounted on a block of sandstone. An older wooden memorial also stands nearby.

The Scene of the Tragedy (click to enlarge)

location map

The 10th Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), was not destined to serve overseas but became a training battalion. A very large number of officers and men received their training in the 10th before going overseas to join various battalions on active service.

L.Cpl. M. Fredlieb DWR	14444809 Lance Corporal Mark Fredlieb, 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Ada Fredlieb, of Sheffield. Buried Ecclesfield Jewish Cemetery
Pte. N. Ashton DWR	14828171 Private Norman Ashton, 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Alfred and Sophia Ashton, of Castleford. Buried Castleford New Cemetery
Pte P.G. Clements DLI	14817616 Private Percy Gibson Clements, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Walter and Elizabeth Chesterton Clements, of West Hartlepool. Buried Hartlepool (Stranton) Cemetery
Pte E. King DLI	14828249 Private Edwin King, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Raymond and Audrey A. King, of Walsden, Todmorden. Buried Walsden (St. Peter) Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Pte. K. Lee DLI	14828252 Private Kenneth Lee, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Husband of Mary Ellen Lee, of Thackley. Buried Idle (Holy Trinity) Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Pte. A. Leighton DLI	14826807 Private Alexander Leighton, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Benjamin and Alice Leighton, of Annfield Plain. Buried Stanley (Harelaw) Cemetery, Durham.
Pte. M.M. Peddelty DLI	14826818 Private Maurice Masterman Peddelty, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Peddelty, of Evenwood. Buried Evenwood Cemetery, Durham.
Pte. J.W. Wilson DLI	14825982 Private John William Wilson, Durham Light Infantry. Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of John William and Mary Jane Wilson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Buried Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (St. Nicholas) Cemetery.
Pte R.H.B. Winteringham DLI	14768404 Private Ronald Herbert (Bud) Winteringham, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of Herbert and Sarah Jane Winteringham, of York. Buried York Cemetery, Yorkshire
Pte. A. Yates DLI	14826930 Private Alfred Yates, Durham Light Infantry, attached to 10th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Died 17th January 1945 aged 18. Son of John Thomas Yates and Margaret Yates, of Dean Bank. Buried Ferryhill Cemetery, Durham.

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