John Henry Doughty

Menin Gate Memorial, CWGC. Authors image

6790 Private

1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 10th Infantry Brigade,4th Division

Age: 34

Date of Death: 25.4.15

Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 8

Family history: He was born in Birmingham and was living as a ‘Boarder’ with the Price family at 22 Victoria Place, Falkirk. Frank Price was an iron moulder and John, a workmate, was also employed as an iron moulder. He enlisted in Warwick at the outbreak of the war.

The action leading to his death

The Battalion was part of the catastrophic attack by the 10th Brigade on 25 April 1915 at St Julien. The War Diary of the Royal Warwicks records: 'The Brigade attacked at 4.30am (actually 5.30am). We attacked Wood on the left of the line with the 7th Arg. and Suth. Highldrs in support. The Sea Highldrs, the R. Irish Fus, and the R. Dub. Fus attacked on the right on Saint Julien. Owing to the German trenches being insufficiently shelled and supports unable to come up the line retired about 7am to trenches near the farm (Shell Trap Farm) and consolidated our position. Our casualties were very heavy, 15 officers and 500 other ranks killed wounded and missing.’

Medals Awarded:

1914 Star and Clasp, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Medal Index Card. Private John Doughty