Geoffrey William Gotch




G W Gotch , courtesy of the Royal Grammar School

London Road (picture from SWOP website)

Geoffrey William Gotch's grave in High Wycombe Cemetery





Geoffrey William Gotch 1895 - 1918

I am Geoffrey William Gotch and I was born on 16th November 1895 in Hyogo, Japan. My parents were Frederick Whitaker & Emily Harsant Gotch . I was baptised in Kobe, Japan on 8th February 1896. So my early life was quite different to that of many of my friends.

My father was a clerk and tea merchant. By 1911 my mother was living at “Elmwood” London Road, High Wycombe with my two brothers, Thomas aged 17yrs and Ralph aged 11yrs. I was at a boarding school in Berkhampstead at that time, aged 15yrs. I also attended the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe where I was awarded second X1 colours and first X1 colours and represented East in Home cricket matches. I also played football for the RGS “A” Team. I attended Harrogate College and was about to start a business career in London when the war broke out.

I immediately joined the H.A.C on the 25th August 1914 and, within weeks, went to France. I joined preparations in St Naziere before moving to the Front in November 1914. I was slightly wounded in June 1915 and inhaled gas but was soon back in service. My first Home Leave was a year later at the end of 1915.

In April 1916 I came back to England again, to qualify for a Commission as an Artillery Officer and passed for the Indian Army, but as there were no openings I was given a Commission as 2nd Lt in the Royal Garrison Artillery. I went back to France in this role in February 1917 and served with the guns for 6mths. I later volunteered to help increase the man power of the R.A.F and trained at Reading and Winchester where I qualified as an observer and went to France again in the autumn of 1917.

I had recently returned to England to gain my 2nd Wing as a Pilot and was waiting for the call for my trial in a course when I became ill with influenza and within days had developed pneumonia. I died at home on 22nd October 1918.

I had a Military Funeral with a gun carriage drawn by 6 black horses. Three volleys were fired over my grave which was lined with white chrysanthemums and ivy. The Last Post was sounded. Both my brothers were also serving at this time.

I am remembered on the Bucks Roll of Honour and on the Roll of Honour at the Royal Grammar School.



Researched by Ruth Bowler, Flackwell Local Area History Group

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