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William Henry 'Harry' Tutt was born in Lincolnshire and came to Chelmsford where he was educated at the town's grammar school. He worked as an accountant's clerk with the County Council before joining the R.A.F. and training in Southern Rhodesia. He died in April 1943 along with two crewmates when their aircraft flew into a hill in Scotland. His home was in Fourth Avenue.

Harry was born in Lincolnshire in 1915, the son of another William Henry Tutt (c1878-1930) and Mary Olive Tutt (nee Tong) (1886-1936). His parents had married in Lincolnshire in 1909. Harry had a sister, Margaret M. Tutt, born in 1922.

He was educated at King Edward VI's Grammar School in Chelmsford.

By 1929 the Tutt family was living at 1 Hamlet Road in Chelmsford. Harry's father died late the following year, leaving an estate valued at £753 8s, 2d, to his wife. The Essex Chronicle reported:

"Death of Mr.W. H. Tutt. —The death took place on Friday of Mr. William Henry Tutt, aged 52, of Hamlet Road. Deceased, who had been ill for about four months, was for twelve years manager of the stationery department of Messrs. J. H. Clarke and Co., High Street. Mr. Tutt leaves a widow and two children, for whom much sympathy is felt. Mr. Tutt was formerly hon. sec. of the Chelmsford Operatic and Dramatic Society, and also interested the Chelmsford Cricket Week, and was held in high esteem. During the war he served with the R.A.M.C. in France and Gallipoli. The funeral took place on Wednesday amid many manifestations of esteem and regret. The interment in the London Road Cemetery preceded a service in St. John's Church, the Rev. F. A. Stroud officiating."

In 1936 Harry's mother followed likewise leaving an estate of  £608 12s. shared by Harry, then an accountant's clerk and Samuel Lugg, a solicitor.


William Henry TUTT, Flying Officer (Navigator), 42 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Killed in an aircraft crash in Peeblesshire, Scotland. Aged 27

In 1940 Harry joined the army, having previously been on the staff of Essex County Council's Accountant's Department. He transferred to the Royal Air Force and trained and obtained his commission in Southern Rhodesia. He returned to the U.K. and flew as Flying Officer (Navigator) 128016 with 42 Operational Training Unit.

On 5th April 1943 Harry was one of three airmen on board a Bristol Blenheim aircraft BA741 which flew into Gameshope Hill, Tweedsmuir, in Peeblesshire, then shrouded by cloud. All three perished. The other men killed were Flying Officer (Pilot) 124466 David Chalmers (aged 20) and Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) 1380763 James Henry Lloyd Edwards (aged 20).

Harry who was 27 when killed was buried in grave 350 in the northern extension of East Calder Churchyard. David Chalmers lies nearby in grave 352, while James Edwards, one of three brothers killed in the war, is buried in Beaufort in Monmouthshire.

At the time of his death Harry was lodging with Mr. & Mrs. Foreman of Fourth Avenue, Chelmsford.

Harry is commemorated by the Essex County Council and King Edward VI's Grammar School war memorials in Chelmsford.

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