Private William Douglas

Private William Douglas, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards. He died in the 4th Casualty Clearing station in Belgium, aged 37, from  wounds on 23rd July, 1917 and is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. On that day the Battalion, who were preparing for the Ypres Offensive, were in front line trenches on the Ypres-Yser Canal. Here they were subjected to a heavy bombardment with mustard gas shells. 4 men were killed and 8 wounded. Private Douglas who had been employed as a labourer before being called up under the Derby Scheme in June 1916 died from shell wounds in the side and stomach.  He had been born in Bellingham, Northumberland and was the son of the late Andrew and Mary douglas of Kirk Yetholm. His wife Rebecca and their six children lived in Kirk Yetholm. She was sent her Husband’s letters, three pipes, religious books, purse, pouch, watch ( broken), chain and two clasp knives. His brother Walter also fell – see above ).