Private Guy Tyrwhitt FLOYD (436952)
46th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)

Date of birth: 23rd June 1876
Date of death: 5th May 1917

Killed in action aged 40
Buried at Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois Plot V Row J Grave 6
Guy Tyrwhitt Floyd was born at Frilsham in Berkshire on the 23rd of June 1876 the twin son of the Reverend George Floyd MA, Rector of Frilsham, and Louisa Isabella (nee Drake) Floyd of Frilsham Rectory, Hermitage, Thatcham near Newbury.

He was educated at Lancing College, where he was in School House from May 1890 to July 1893. He was a member of the Cricket XI from 1891 to 1893.

He worked as a brewer and later emigrated to Canada where he continued in his trade.

He enlisted in the 51st Battalion Canadian Infantry (Edmonton) at Edmonton in Alberta on the 19th of February 1915. At a medical examination, which was held on the same day, it was recorded that he was six feet tall with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion and that he weighed 153lbs. He left for overseas service on the 15th of April 1916 and sailed for England from Halifax on board the SS "Missanabie" on the 18th of April. He disembarked at Liverpool on the 28th of April 1916.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 8th of June 1916. While he was in training he was taken ill with pains in the left side of his chest when marching with full kit on the 7th of July 1916. This was found to have been caused by a bout of pleurisy he had suffered from in the left lung during 1913 when he had spent five weeks in bed as a result. It was also discovered at the same time that he was suffering from considerable deafness and tinnitus in the left ear, a condition he had had for the previous seven years, which was treated by syringing at Bramshott Hospital on the 10th of July, but without improvement. As a result of his condition he was restricted to base duties and was not allowed to undertake route marches. On the 27th of October 1916 he was transferred to a Provisional Battalion and was transferred to the 19th (Reserve) Battalion Canadian Infantry at Bramshott Camp on the 8th of January 1917, reverting to the rank of Private at his own request on the 16th of February 1917. He was posted to the Base Depot of the 46th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) at Seaford on the 9th of January 1917. On the 16th of February 1917 he was drafted to the 46th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) and embarked for France on the same day, arriving there on the 17th of February where he joined his battalion in the field on the 21st of February 1917. On the 8th of March 1917 he was attached to the 4th Canadian Divisional Signals but rejoined his battalion on the 15th of April 1917.

On the 9th of April 1917 the 46th Battalion Canadian Infantry had been in reserve for the attack on Vimy Ridge. Two days later they assaulted and captured the German strongpoint known as the "Pimple". On the 5th of May 1917 the 46th Battalion Canadian Infantry was pushing forward in the area of the brick stacks at Vimy. They sent patrols out which met with a barrage of German artillery in response. At 2.30am on the morning of the 6th of May the Germans launched a counter attack against the Canadians which was repelled after many casualties on both sides. The situation was stable by 5am and the rest of the day saw constant German artillery falling on and around the Canadian line until the battalion was relieved by the 50th Battalion at 11pm.

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Frilsham.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his death as having occurred on the 6th of May 1917 but all other records record his death as having taken place on the 5th of May 1917.

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