Military History

Gerald was training with his Battalion on Jersey when he was accidently killed by the premature explosion of a rifle grenade they were training with/on. Obituary - 12 May 1916 - Coventry Standard

HAMPTON IN ARDEN - THE LATE LIEUTENANT DUTTON

It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the death of second Lieutenant Gerald Alexander Dutton, eldest son of Mr Samuel Dutton, of Bramcote, Hampton in Arden.

The deceased officer was gazetted last November to the 4th battalion S South Staffordshire regiment. He was unfortunately killed on Friday last week by the premature explosion of a rifle grenade whilst at bombing practise with his company. Lieutenant Dutton who was only 17 years old had received his education at the Haverfordwest and Solihull grammar schools at both of which he had shown fine abilities passing the senior Welsh board on the senior local Oxford examinations. Previous to receiving his Commission he served in the Officers Training Corps at Solihull.

Lieutenant Dalton was a promising young officer, having made excellent progress in his military career, passing several qualifying examinations for promotion, and he had only lately been advanced to another company. In a letter to his parents from the adjutant of the battalion he is spoken of as being ”beloved his brother officers like and respected by his men, a keen and capable soldier, and a perfect little gentleman, than which nothing finer or better can be written by any man”.

The deceased was buried last Monday in the churchyard of St. Peter’s, Jersey with full military honours. All the officers non-commissioned officers and men of the battalion attended as mourners, the governor of the island and officers of the other units station there were also present and the firing party of 40 men, commanded by a brother officer, fired the final salute. Wreaths were sent from the family of the deceased, Lieutenant’s Murphy and Vale (the deceased personal friends), officers of his company, the men of his company, the officers of Saint Peters, the officers of the detachment at Fort Regent and the sergeants of the battalion.