Cpl 241106 Edward Andrew McDougall

• Age: 24
• From: Seaforth, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 4th November 1918
• Commemorated at: Roisel Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: I.F.8

Edward Andrew McDougall was born in 1894 in Seaforth, Liverpool the son of Edward Benjamin McDougall and his wife Annie Eliza (Nee Roberts). Both born in Liverpool, his parents married in 1884 and had six children. Edward was the only son. He had older sisters Amy Madeline, Ethel Jane, and Elizabeth Annie, and younger sisters Edith Elsie and Eva Ellen, who died at the age of 3.

At the time of the 1901 census the family is living at 18 Durham Road, Seaforth, with four children and niece Elizabeth Roberts, 2. His father is a railway clerk, Edward is 7. Ethel Jane, age 1 on the census, appears to have died before the next census, although no death record has been found.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 8 Corona Road, Waterloo, with children Annie, Edward and Edith McDougall and Elizabeth Roberts adopted daughter. His father, 51, is a railway clerk, his mother is 49.  Annie, 19, is a dressmaker, Edward is 17, a junior clerk for the Liverpool Gas Company, Edith is 13, and Elizabeth Roberts 12.  Two of their six children have died.

Edward enlisted in Liverpool on 19th November 1914 in the 2/6th (Rifles) King’s Liverpool Regiment, as  Rifleman 241106, and achieved the rank of Corporal.  Formed in Liverpool in September 1914, the battalion moved to Blackpool in November, and in February 1915 moved to Upstreet Camp, Canterbury.  In March 1915 they moved to billets at Cliftonville and became part of the Margate defences.  The battalion landed in France in February 1917 as part of the 171st Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.

A later newspaper report states that Edward was gassed and wounded in July 1917.  The medal roll shows that he was transferred, at some point, to the 14th Bn K.L.R., likely after recuperating from his wounds.  The 14th Bn K.L.R. were serving on the Salonika front in 1917 and left Salonika in June 1918, via Itea in Greece and Taranto, Italy,  and arrived on the Western Front in July. On 13th August they were absorbed by the 18th Bn K.L.R., becoming the 18th (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry), The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). 

Edward was wounded in action on 18th October 1918 during an attack on Le Cateau, and died of his wounds on 4th November 1918, one week before the war ended, after serving for four years.  

He now rests in Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme.

Roisel town was occupied by British troops in April 1917, and evacuated after a strong defence by the 66th (East Lancashire) Division in the evening of the 22nd March 1918. It was retaken in the following September.

Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension was begun by German troops, who buried immediately to the North of the Communal Cemetery. It was developed in October and November 1918, by the 41st, 48th, 53rd and 58th Casualty Clearing Stations, and it was completed after the Armistice by the concentration of British and German graves from the country North, East and South of Roisel.

There are now 878, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 120 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 12 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia who are known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of two soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found on concentration. The graves of 88 soldiers of the United States Army buried here in October 1918, have been removed to another cemetery. There are also 514, German Foreign Nationals commemorated in this site, 190 being unidentified.

The cemetery covers an area of 6,010 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall on three sides.

A report on his death appeared in the Crosby Herald on the 14th December 1918.

Mr. and Mrs. McDougall, 11, Argo Road, Waterloo, have received much sympathy in the loss of their only son, Corpl. Edward A. McDougall, 6th Liverpool Rifles, who died on November 4th as a result of gunshot wounds received in action on October 18th. Corpl. McDougall was educated at Christ Church Boys' School, Waterloo, and was a member of the Bible Class. He was in the employ of the Liverpool Gas Company as junior clerk. Enlisting on the 19th November, 1914, he was gassed and wounded in France in July, 1917. He was later drafted out to Salonika in February, 1918, and was afterwards sent back to France.

The following letter has been received by Mr. McDougall from his son's commanding officer:-

 "It was with intense sorrow that I heard yesterday officially that your son, Corpl. E. McDougall, had died of wounds received in action on the 18th October last, and I feel it something more than a matter of mere duty to send you a line of sympathy in your bereavement for, as your late son's Company Commander, his loss to me personally came as a blow. He was a magnificent example of reliability, steadfastness, and cheerful courage in the worst of situations, and his capabilities for leadership marked him out for certain advancement. Add to this his popularity with officers and men, for he was exceptionally well likes, and you can realise that our expressions of sympathy and sorrow are most real and sincere. It was in passing through a mixed barrage of shells, gas and machine gun fire, in the capture of Le Cateau, that your son received his fatal wound, an unaimed bullet striking him in the chest. He was evacuated as quickly as possible in a critical condition, but the news of his death was nevertheless a shock to all of us, his old comrades, who join in sending you their heartfelt sympathy and regret."

The sister in charge of the hospital writes as follows:-

"On the 4th your son got very rapidly worse, and in spite of all we could do passed away very quietly and peacefully at 4-55 p.m. He was quite conscious, but not able to speak most of the afternoon, and only lost consciousness shortly before the end. In the morning I told your son I would write and send you his fondest love and kisses, and he seemed quite pleased. He said then that he had no pain, but felt so very sleepy and weak. Your loss is very great, and I know you must be prostrate with grief. It will comfort you to know that your son had every possible care and attention from us all, and that nothing more could have been done. Your son was a dear, brave lad, and one for whom it was a great pleasure to do anything. I can realise a little what his death means to you.

A letter from the Chaplain states:

"He received every care and attention from the surgical and medical staff. He was a brave boy and an uncomplaining patient. Towards the end he sank into unconsciousness, and passed quietly away."

Edward is remembered on the following Memorials:

Crosby and Blundellsands  Civic Memorial

Liverpool Gas Company

Christ Church, C.of E, Church, Waterloo.

His Army effects and a War Gratuity of £24 went to his father.

The pension card in the name of his father at 11 Argo Road, later 26 Somerville Road, 

His mother died in 1921, aged 59 and his father in 1931, aged 71.

We currently have no further information on Edward Andrew McDougall, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.