Alderman pays tribute to Bishop's Stortford armed services veterans supporter Steven Gutteridge

The funeral of a stalwart supporter of armed services veterans in Bishop's Stortford will take place on Tuesday February 28.

Mourners can pay their respects to Chinnery Hill resident Steven Gutteridge at Parndon Wood Crematorium, Harlow, at 2.30pm.

Mr Gutteridge, 69, died unexpectedly at the end of December.

East Herts alderman Keith Barnes, a former district and Stortford town councillor and mayor, said: "He was well known in the town for his voluntary work over many years and was devoted to finding and cleaning the war graves in local cemeteries and churchyards of the servicemen who died in the two world wars. He would place wooden crosses on them at Remembrance time."

He said Mr Gutteridge was responsible for identifying the standard of the Bishop's Stortford Old Contemptibles Association (BSOCA) in St Michael's Church, Windhill, and securing a grant to renovate it. It is now an exhibit at Bishop's Stortford Museum.

The Old Contemptibles Association was formed in 1925. Its members were survivors of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), the official name of the British armies in France and Flanders throughout the First World War.

The term "Old Contemptibles" is said to come from a dismissive reference by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany when he allegedly issued an order in August 1914 to "exterminate... the treacherous English and walk over General French's contemptible little army".

The association was formed to continue their First World War camaraderie and enable the "chums" or members to support each other.

The Bishop's Stortford branch was formed in 1938 and did not close until the start of the 1970s.

Mr Barnes said: "Each year, Steve would collect in the town and early mornings at the railway station for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

"For many years he would be seen around the town walking four rescue dogs and would patronise many of the local coffee houses and cafés.

"He loved wildlife and in particular visiting Hatfield Forest, and was known for helping elderly residents attend hospital appointments and collecting their prescriptions.

"He was a well-meaning volunteer for many associations and good causes."