Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Wilfred Vernon Gurr was born on 1st November or on 13th October 1898 in Shalford, Surrey to butcher Charles Edward and Emily Bessie nee Crouch. He was baptised on the 2nd of November 1898 at St Mary the Virgin’s Church in Shalford.
Wilfred’s father Charles was born about 1869 in Lamberhurst, Kent to butcher William, born about 1830 in Chatham, Kent and Annie born about 1859 in Lamberhurst. Charles married Emily on the 1st of February 1893 at St Mary the Virgin’s Church in Shalford, Surrey. Emily was born about 1866 in Shalford to journalist, assistant overseer and clerk to School and Burial Boards Edwin, born about 1836 in Godalming, Surrey and Elizabeth born about 1840 in France. Emily was baptised on the 30th of March 1866 in Shalford.
Wilfred had two siblings: Leslie Edward Crouch born about 1896 in Rye, Surrey and Doris Augusta born about 1901 in Dorking.
On 17th June 1901 Wilfred was admitted into St Martin’s Church of England School, Dorking (infants). At the time of his admission the family lived in West Street. He left the school on 20th April 1903 and started to attend a school in Westcott.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 24 West Street. Charles was working as a groom at a livery stables and Emily was at home looking after their children: Leslie, Wilfred and Doris.
On 4th November 1907 Wilfred was admitted into Dorking British School. At the time of his admission the family lived at 61 Orchard Road, Dorking.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 84 Orchard Road. Emily was a dressmaker and the household further comprised of her children: grocers’ errand boy Leslie, Wilfred and Doris. Emily stated that she had given birth to three children. The accommodation had five rooms. At the time of the 1911 Census, butcher and journeyman Charles was visiting dealer Arthur Skilton at North Holmwood.
Wilfred enlisted in Dorking into the 2nd/8th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number 53589. At the time of his enlistment he lived in South Holmwood.
At the time of his death Wilfred was part of the 2nd/5th Battalion the Manchester Regiment.
Wilfred died of influenza whilst a prisoner of war on 9th November 1918 in Suarlee, Belgium.
He was buried at the Belgrade Cemetery in Belgium. His grave reference number is: II.C.8. The headstone bears the inscription: “Rest in the Lord”.
He received the British War and Victory Medals.
Wilfred’s mother Emily received £36, 4s and 2d on the 9th of August 1919 in Soldiers’ Effects. His parents lived at 6 Redlands Cottages, Mid Holmwood.
| Born | Shalford, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Charles and Emily Gurr of 6 Redlands Cottages, Holmwood | |
| Regiment | 2nd/5th Battalion. Manchester Regiment | |
| Number | 53589 | |
| Date of Death | 9th November 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Suarlee, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Died of influenza whilst a prisoner of war | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Cemetery | Belgrade Cemetery, Belgium |
