Kenneth Albert William Tutheridge

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Tony Gibson, nephew of Kenneth Tutheridge and Ken's surviving relatives

Ken was born on 10th June 1915 in Bexhill On Sea, Sussex, to Albert and Daisy Tutheridge. He was baptised on 4th July in St Stephen’s Church, Bexhill. He had one older sister, Pearl, although later there would be three more sisters, Jean, Joan and Pat. Albert worked as a Southern Railway Porter.

By 1920, Albert had been promoted to Railway Guard and the family moved to Reading, Berkshire, where they lived in Swansea Road, not far from the Southern Railway train station. Ken was educated at ‘E P Collier’ School which was only a few steps away from his home. In, probably, 1938, when Albert became unwell, the family moved to a large house in Milman Road, Reading and it was from here that Ken was called up when the Second World War began. Previously Ken had been working for The English Leather Company in Reading.

Ken stands next to the Company van which he drove

 

Ken was remembered by his sisters as a lively character who loved a joke. Stories were told of him frequently playing tricks on his sisters, although this was not always well received by some who were a little more serious in character.

Ken was a popular character among his comrades in the 5th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment who recollect him spinning various “tall” stories round the camp fire of an evening. In one he claimed to have at some time worked as a cook on a whaling ship. Hence his nickname of “Whaler” Tutheridge. His tank crew became close colleagues and a picture of Ken standing with Sergeant Jim Cook, his tank Commander, is attached.

Ken, on the right, standing with Sergeant Jim Cook, his tank Commander

 

Ken served with the 5th Royal Tank Regiment throughout the North Africa campaign and took part in the battle of El Alamein in 1942. In 1944 the Regiment was part of the Normandy Campaign. It landed on Gold Beach early on the second day (7th June 1944). Ken was killed on the 10th June, which was his 29th Birthday. The Regimental War Diary for the 10th June records the following events:

10th June 0630
Brigade move forward with the intention of capturing the high ground between Hottot and Juguigny passing through the FDLs of 50 Div. south of Bayeux, the Regt. being on the right flank.
Owing to the close country the Regt. moved one up with “C” Sqn. (Major Burt) leading. Progress was very slow.
Lt. Haywood at Folliot found himself near a small enemy leaguer where he put out of action a Mark IV before having to withdraw. “B” Sqn. were then ordered to try and find a gap on the right flank.
The village of Bernieres Bocage was ultimately nearly surrounded but an SP gun thought to be a Panther knocked out 2 Cromwells. Meanwhile 4 CLY had reached Buccels on the centre line and forward elements were reported in Tilly sur Seulles though this was thought doubtful. The Regt. then leaguered in the Ellon area for the night.
Losses: Tanks, own – 2 Cromwells.
Personnel killed:- Lt. D.I. Grahame-Parker, L/C Perry Tprs. Walker, Harris, Langford, Tutheridge, and White, N.
Wounded:- Sgt. Cook, Missing – Tprs. Chorley, Lynch, O’Callaghan.

Here is an extract from “The Story of Geoffrey Waterson’s Life In The 7th Armoured Division” as provided to the BBC – WW2 People’s War series, which is a first-hand account of the incident:
“Our troop was now led by Jack Stiddard in place of Eric Wilde. George Onions has his own tank command in the troop and was lead tank on one particular day. Coming up to a gateway, his tank shed a track and Sergeant Cook’s tank took over the lead. They had gone only a short distance beyond the gate when they were hit and ‘brewed up’ immediately. Only Sergeant Cook got out. Those who were killed included ‘Dizzy Langford’, ‘Whaler’ Tutheridge, and a teenager, ‘Chalky’ White, who had joined us at Shakers Wood. But for the track of the then leading tank breaking minutes earlier they would not have been there but in the rear of the troop. Call it fate or luck or what you will, the circumstances made a deep impression on everyone.”

Although we did not know him, “Uncle Ken” will be remembered by Jennifer (his sister Pearl’s daughter), Christine (his sister Pat’s daughter), Tony (his sister Jean’s son) and, Susan (his sister Jean’s daughter).