2076 Private
7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division
Age: 16
Date of Death: 25.4.15
Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 42 to 44 https://www.theypressalient.com/post/menin-gate-memorial
Family history: Son of Alexander and Elizabeth Duchart, 18 Church Square, Grahamston, Falkirk. They had four children Alexander, John, James, and Elizabeth. James lied about his age when he enlisted, not unusual, on 16 March 1914. In his Attestation form is stated his age as ‘17 years, 8 months’ when in fact he was 15 years of age. At the time he enlisted in the 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, the local Territorial Battalion, James was employed as a moulder at Gowanbank Iron Foundry, Grahamston. He went to France with the Battalion on 15 December 1914.
The action leading to his death
See ‘25 April 1915—Catastrophe at St Julien’
The 25 April 1915, is a day that brought catastrophe to 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and to the towns and villages of Falkirk District. The 7th Battalion were seen as Falkirk District’s Battalion. The men were all serving Territorials, work mates and friends.
Medals Awarded:
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
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