John Anstruther

 

Regiment:  6th Dragoon Guards (Carabineers)

John Anstruther only spent a few weeks in Netheravon – at the Cavalry School. His father Charles was a serving officer in the 2nd Life Guards. The family, including his mother Agnes (Nee Guthrie) and older sister Grizel came from Fifeshire, but spent a lot of time in London. Born in 1888, John was commissioned into the the 6th Dragoon Guards stationed at Mhow in India. Promoted Lieutenant in January 1912, in Apr 1914 he became the Aide de Camp to the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ronald Monroe Fergusson. At the outbreak of War he was allowed to return to re-join his regiment. When he arrived they were already fighting in Belgium and France, and he came to the Cavalry School to await orders. He was shortly posted to the 2nd Life Guards concentrating near Ludgershall, and landed at Zeebrugge on the 8th October. The next 3 weeks were spent in a steady withdrawal in almost constant hectic contact with the advancing Germans. On the 30th October 2 of the Squadrons were cut off. Many were taken prisoner and at first it was thought John had survived, but eventually he was assumed dead. He is now remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial.