Lives of the First World War

August 1918 - September 1918

Douglas healed quickly from his broken bones and was able to re-join his regiment in England as a training officer at Oswestry. During his first spell in the trenches, Douglas had come to enjoy the “art” of bombing (throwing grenades into enemy trenches) and had obviously become so skillful at it that it was natural that he should teach others that were less so. Early in his stay at Oswestry, however, a bombing accident occurred. There ensued eighteen painful and frustrating months of operations and subsequent limping around on crutches. As his letters show this prevented Douglas from doing what he most wanted to do: to return to do his duty and fight the war. Then in early August 1918 Douglas got what he had passionately wished for - the ending of convalescence and a return to war. The journal records that on the 11th August 1918 “he suddenly came to the office in Manchester (having travelled all night). Hearing that his mother was in Manchester he tracked her down and announced that he was being sent out again immediately… She said: “And I suppose you are glad?” He answered: “Oh, in some ways, very glad of course.” And that was that. One of her great compliments was that he told Honor that “Mother is a sport. She makes no fuss when I go.” It was a busy time buying and refitting for nearly all the kit that had been lost. Preparing and packing took the next morning and he left after an early lunch. 12th August – He spent that night in London and the next day crossed to France”. 16 August 1918 Cheshire Regt C. Infantry Base Depot, BEF, France “Dear family, So far everything very pleasant. Dead calm crossing… Have got quarters in camp now and should be going up in 2 or 3 days… Much love from Douglas” 17 August 1918 4th Cheshire Regiment, BEF, France “Dear Family, Going up the line today… I will write again in a day or two. Love from Douglas PS Have you decided on a place for the holidays?” (Ed) The following letter was received by the family after they had been notified of his death 1 September 1918 4th Cheshire Regiment, BEF, France “Dear Family, …I am absolutely as fit as a fiddle and am having no trouble with my foot in spite of a lot of marching. Have been in the place Jock was (Ed. Ypres) and very interested to see it for the first time. Am going today towards that neighbourhood. What splendid news there is. I have found many congenial companions. Am for the time being in charge of a company for a fortnight or so. I must say I am very glad to be out again after messing about so long. I hope I shall have some more interesting news shortly… Sorry this so dull. Do have a good holiday Much love from Douglas” On the 4th September 1918 Douglas led his men out of the remains of Kemmel village onto the road towards Wytschaete, a journey which had acquired the ominous nickname “suicide road”. The remaining German troops occupied trenches and dugouts in the slightly elevated ground before Wytschaete village, giving a clear line of fire for snipers… Douglas’s parents received the War Office telegram on the evening of the 10th September. It was some time before they pieced together the events surrounding his death. 9 September 1918 - A letter from Major Eric Morris: ‘I feel I must write you a few lines to ask you to accept my sincerest and most heartfelt sympathy on the death of your son in action. He was killed in action on the 4th instant by an enemy sniper whilst leading his company in an attack. He had not been long with my Battalion but it did not take me long to realise what a thoroughly keen and capable officer he was. Soon after he joined I put him in command of a company and his one thought after this was to do all in his power to see to the welfare of his men. We had all got to know him and shall miss him most awfully. His bravery in action on the day on which he was killed is a very fine example and was the object of admiration of all under him… I am extremely bad at writing letters of this nature but I know you will understand what I mean when I say that we all feel your son’ death very keenly indeed and I ask you to accept the sympathy of myself and of all my Battalion in your very sad loss… Yours sincerely Eric Morris, Major (Commanding ¼ Battalion The Cheshire Regiment).’

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