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Joseph Gundry (1893-1982)


Coal miner from Chopwell served with 9th DLI and won the DCM during the 100 Days Offensive


Joseph Gundry, the son of James and Sarah Jane Gundry, was born in Victoria Garesfield on 8 September 1893. He had two brothers and three sisters. In 1911 the Gundry family lived at 9 Tay Street, Chopwell. Joseph was a coal miner before he enlisted in the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI). He arrived in France on 27 June 1915 and appears to have gone right through the war there. He was recorded as wounded on the wounded list for 2 November 1916 and was entitled to wear a wound stripe.

Joseph’s service led to him winning the Military Medal and later, during the ‘100 Days Offensive’, the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) along with Private Cecil William Caygill who was also resident in Chopwell (see “Related to this story” below). His award of the Military Medal was for gallantry in the Field and was announced in the London Gazette, issue 30540, 22 February 1918, page 2421. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, along with 325326 Private Caygill as recorded in the London Gazette, issue 31128, 16 January 1919, page 830. The citation read “For magnificent conduct at Havrincourt, 12th to 15th September, 1918. When forward platoons of their company were heavily counter-attacked and pressed back by the enemy, leaving many casualties in ‘No Man’s Land’, they went forward and rescued the wounded in face of heavy machine gun fire and snipers’ fire. They made nine journeys and brought in sixteen of their wounded comrades, whose lives they undoubtedly saved”.

In 1920 Joseph married Ellen Whitley in Gateshead and they went on to have three children. By 1939 he was still living with his wife and children. The family had moved to 11 Clyde Street, Blaydon. Joseph’s death, at the age of 88, was recorded in the Durham Northern Registration District in 1982.

Civil Parish: Chopwell

Birth date: 08-Sep-1893

Death date: 1982

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Middle Friarside, Tanfield (1901 census)
9 Tay Street, Chopwell(1911 census)
11 Clyde Street, Blaydon (1939 Register)

Employment: Coal miner (1911 census)
Colliery hewer (1939 England and Wales Register)

Family: Father: James Gundry
Mother: Sarah Jane Gundry (nee Stubbs)
Siblings: Hannah, Alice, George, Elizabeth & James Gundry
Wife: Ellen Gundry (nee Whitley)
Children: James, Sarah J & Elizabeth Gundry

Military service:

9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental numbers: 3101& 273099
Private

Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette, issue 31128, 16 January 1919, page 830)
Military Medal (London Gazette, issue 30540, 22 February 1918, page 2421)
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Gender: Male

Contributed by John Edwards

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