| The Late Pte. A. E. Cutler
Widespread sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs. A. Cutler
in the loss they have sustained through the death of their
youngest son, Pte. Abel Edward Cutler, who passed away at
Lewisham Military Hospital on Wednesday last week. Although
Private Cutler had been in the colonies for a number of
years, he will be remembered by a large circle of friends,
many of whom had the pleasure of seeing him home on leave
some few months ago.
For ten years he served in the South African Mounted
Police, a semi-military organization, and afterwards went
through Botha’s campaign in German South West Africa, during
which he received a flesh wound in the leg. After the cessation
of the campaign in that quarter of the Empire, and his discharge
from the force in which he was Corporal, he enlisted as
a private in the South African contingent, and came to England
with the South African Scottish last November.
From England he was sent to Egypt, where he again saw
active service with the Arabs soon after landing. From Egypt
he was moved direct to France in May, and was wounded in
the attack on Longueval on July 15th. He arrived at Lewisham
Military Hospital on July 22nd with a bullet wound in the
left leg. Hope was entertained until Wednesday, July 26,
that the leg would be saved, but on that day serious symptoms
arose which necessitated amputation of the limb. Private
Cutler recovered from the operation for a short time, but
died from heart failure at 9 o’clock that evening.
The funeral took place at West Wycombe on Monday, with
full military honours. The coffin was conveyed to West Wycombe
Station by rail, and from thence was borne on a gun-carriage
to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, where the first part of
a most impressive service was conducted by the Rev. W. Terry
Coppin (High Wycombe). The hymns “Brief life is here our
portion” and “Now the labourer’s task is o’er” were very
reverently sung by the congregation present, including the
members of the Royal Field Artillery from High Wycombe,
whose presence enhanced the impressiveness of the service.
Mr. B. S. North, who presided at the organ, also gave an
effective rendering of the “Dead March” in “Saul.” An appropriate
address was given by the Rev. W. Terry Coppin.
The cortège proceeded to the Churchyard on the Hill,
where tor mortal remains were laid to rest. The Rev. W.
Terry Coppin again officiated, and the three volleys by
the firing party, followed by the “Last Post” added to the
solemnity of the last rites. The coffin, which was of polished
elm, with brass fittings, bore the inscription, “Abel Edward
Cutler, died 26th July, 1916, aged 32 years.” The service
at the graveside was concluded in the presence of a large
number of sympathisers. Among the mourners were:-- Mr. and
Mrs. A. Cutler (parents), Mrs. B. Robertson and Miss Cutler
(sisters), Mrs. W. Cutler (sister-in-law), Mr. B. S. North
(brother-in-law), Mr. Stables, Southampton (uncle), Mrs.
Maurice Janes (cousin), Mr. and Mrs. B. Cutler, High Wycombe
(uncle and aunt), Master Ronald Clark (nephew), and others.
The floral tributes bore the following inscriptions:--
“In loving memory of our brave lad,” from mother, dad and
sisters; “In loving memory from all at Brairholme;” “Sincere
regret and deepest sympathy from Mrs. Moxham and Mr. And
Mrs. Stables;” “With deepest sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs.
Janes;” “A token of love, from Ronald, Gerald and Muriel;”
“Heartfelt sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. Robertson and family;”
“In loving memory of Teddy, from Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Harris
and Miss Dorothy Harris;” “In memory of our village lads,
from a few mothers of the village.”
Mr. and Mrs. Cutler and family desire to thank all kind
friends for their notes of condolence, also for beautiful
flowers—ADVT.
At the Wesleyan Methodist Church, on Sunday evening,
the sympathy of the Church was publicly extended to the
relations of both Privates Cutler and Sexton, former members
of the Sunday School, who had made the great sacrifice for
their country.
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