Arthur James Douglas

Forename(s):
Arthur James

Surname:
Douglas

Initial(s):
A J

Service Number:
59957

Rank:
Private

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/4th Battalion Territorial Force

Died:
28/03/1918

Aged:
19

Buried:
St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen

Service History:
Enlisted at North Shields, Northumberland.

Died of gunshot wounds received. Given he died at Rouen it's likely he was actually wounded on or about 21 March coinciding with the devastating German offensive 'Operation Michael'.
(Source: 'The Fallen of Embleton 1914-1919'; Written & researched by Terry Howells, Mary Kibble, & Monica Cornall; pp. 50-52).

Background:
Born on 3 January 1899, at Christon Bank, Embleton, Northumberland, the oldest son of George Douglas (b. about 1858 at West Ditchburn, Alnwick, Northumberland; in 1911, a Mole Catcher & Market Gardner) & his wife, Jessie Ann (née Murdie; b. about 1863 at Cold Harbour, Embleton).

Douglas was still at school in 1911 along with his younger brother, Percy (b. about 1901). He also had an older brother, George (b. 1894).

Educated at the village school at Embleton from 1904 until 1911. He was one of the few pupils from Embleton who were able to take up a County Scholarship which he'd won to go to the Duke's School, Alnwick. He joined the Duke's School in September 1911, leaving in July 1915 to work in a bank.

Pre-enlistment occupation: Clerk for the London Joint Stock Bank, at Whitley Bay, Northumberland. This probably explains why it was he enlisted at North Shields.
(Source: 'The Fallen of Embleton 1914-1919'; Written & researched by Terry Howells, Mary Kibble, & Monica Cornall; pp. 50-52).

Local Memorial:
Embleton, Memorial Obelisk in Spitalford Cemetery Embleton, Church of England School Memorial Plaque Embleton, Presbyterian Communion Tray used in the United Reformed Church