In Memory of

WILLIAM DOUGLAS

Private
11526
6th Bn., Gordon Highlanders
who died on
Friday, 4th June 1915. Age 28

Additional Information:

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William Douglas was born on 12 Aug 1886 at Buckfoot, Cabrach, the son of Maggie Douglas

Pte. 6 GH, Bogieside Croft, enlisted Huntly, killed in action, served France & Flanders.

He is recorded on the family headstone of William Joss, Mains of Craighall in Kennethmont CY (Old)
His mother married Wm Joss.

He worked for Mr Leith Hay at Leith Hall HF, enlisted October 1914, killed by a bomb during a trench attack. See Wm B Anderson entry.

1914/15 Star, War & Victory Medals, France 10/3/1915

William Douglas, 6 GH fell in action near Givency 4 June 1915 age 28.

William did not proceeed to France with BEF in Nov 1914. Book, 6 GH in F & F

Army Casualty Returns: Wm Douglas 27, e Huntly, KIA 4/6/1915 with BEF

20th Brigade, 7th Division, the Battalion was in reserve at Battle of Festubert, 16-18 May 1915, but was in the line afterwards. Battle ended 25th May.

1/4/1908 The original Volunteer Battalions was reorganised and the 4th became the 6th Batt ( Territorial Force) comprising 8 companies centred in the following areas;
'A' Coy - Banff
'B' Coy - Dufftown, Aberlour and Glenlivet
'C' Coy - Keith
'D' Coy - Buckie
'E' Coy - Inverurie
'F' Coy - Alford, Kildrummy and Strathdon
'G' Coy - Buckie
'H' Coy - Huntly

During 1914 the 8 Company system of the entire British army was changed to 4, usually 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D'
'H' Company became part of the new 'A' Company. This became the official designation in 1915. This did not prevent the men using the original lettering which related to their home areas.

Service notes
1/6th Gordons, 1/6th (6th) Banff and Donside Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

4/8/1914 at Keith: Gordon Brigade, Highland Division.
16/8/1914 arrived Bedford, part of Highland Territorial Brigade
9/11/1914 left Bedford by train to Southhampton, there boarded troopship " Cornishman" for France.
10/11/1914 Landed Havre ( Le Havre)
13/11/1914 Left Le Havre, travelled to St Omer, 4/12/1914 at Sailly.
5/12/1914 to 20th Brigade, 7th Division.
Was the 1st Btn of Highland Division to reach the Front.
6/12/1914 In trenches
5/1/1916 became Line of Communication Troops.
1/6/1916 to 152nd Brigade, 51st Highland Division.
6/10/1918 ammalgamated with 1/7th (Deeside) Gordons to form 6/7th Gordons
11/11/1918 in same near Thun l'Eveque, North of Cambrai.

 

Commemorative Information

Memorial:

LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France

 

Grave Reference/
Panel Number:

 

 Panel 39 to 41

Location:

The name of William Douglas

 Le Touret Memorial is located at the east end of Le Touret Military Cemetery, on the south side of the Bethune-Armentieres main road. From Bethune follow the signs for Armentieres until you are on the D171. Continue on this road through Essars and Le Touret village. Approximately 1 kilometre after Le Touret village and about 5 kilometres before you reach the intersection with the D947, Estaires to La Bassee road, the Cemetery lies on the right hand side of the road. The Memorial takes the form of a loggia surrounding an open rectangular court. The court is enclosed by three solid walls and on the eastern side by a colonnade. East of the colonnade is a wall and the colonnade and wall are prolonged northwards (to the road) and southwards, forming a long gallery. Small pavilions mark the ends of the gallery and the western corners of the court. The names of those commemorated are listed on panels set into the walls of the court and the gallery, arranged by Regiment, Rank and alphabetically by surname within the rank. Over 13,000 names are listed on the memorial of men who fell in this area before 25 September 1915 and who have no known grave.