Herbert Spencer McCutcheon was born in 1890, the son of a HM Customs examining officer, John McCutcheon, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Cole. Herbert was one of eleven brothers and sisters. By 1911, the family were living at 108 Wanstead Park Avenue, and 21 year old Herbert was working as a clerk.
Herbert married Isabell Jennetti Honour on 18th July 1914 and a year later the couple had a son, Sidney Herbert McCutcheon. The family lived at 78 Dyer's Hall Road, Leytonstone.
In December 1915, Herbert enlisted with the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Herbert’s younger brother Thomas was also part of this regiment but it’s not clear if the brothers enlisted at the same time. Thomas McCutcheon was promoted to Sergeant before being killed in action in the Persian Gulf in 1916. Herbert continued in the Black Watch after the death of his brother until he too died on 13th May 1917. Herbert was buried in the City of London Cemetery which suggests that he was invalided home.
Research by Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ancestry.com