Pte 15236 Douglas Terry

• Age: 28
• From: Claughton
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 8th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Birkenhead Flaybrick

Douglas Terry was born at Claughton on 19th February 1889 and was was christened 19th May 1889 at Bidston. He was the son of William Francis Terry and his wife Henrietta (nee Evans) who were married at St Oswald’s Church, Bidston in 1879. Prior to enlisting he had previously been employed by Messrs Richardson and Ralli, cotton brokers. 

The 1891 Census shows the family at 12 Palm Hill, Birkenhead. His father, William F. Terry, is aged 38, and is an incorporated accountant, born in Bakewell, his mother, Henrietta, is aged 32, born in Birkenhead and has no occipation listed. They have four children at the time of the Census Gertrude V Terry 10, William F Terry 7, Reginald S Terry 4 and Douglas aged 2. Their children were all born in Claughton.

1901 Census shows the family still at 12 Palm Hill, Birkenhead. His father, William, is aged 48 is a chartered accountant, his mother, Henrietta, is aged 41 and has no occupation listed. They have five children Gertrude now aged 20, William F aged 18, employed as an articled clerk to his father, Reginald S aged 14, Douglas aged 12 and Forence M aged 9.

1911 Census shows the family now living at 47 Rose Mount, Oxton, Cheshire - the dwelling had 11 rooms. His father, William Francis is 58 years old and is a public accountant - employer, his mother, Henrietta, is aged 52 with no occupation listed. They have been married for thirty one years and have had seven children of which one had died. At the time of the Census they have four children living at the address, William Fenwick employed as a chartered accountant's clerk, Douglas aged 21 is an apprentice cotton salesman, Florence Maude Terry, 19, with no occupation listed and Ashwood Cecil aged 8. They also have a servant named Annie Alice Pemberton aged 20 living with them.

Douglas was educated at Birkenhead Institute. 

He enlisted on the 01st September 1914 at Liverpool and gave his age as 25 years and six months and his occupation as a cotton salesman/clerk (He had been employed as an apprentice Cotton salesman for Pennefather & Co). He was described as being five feet five inches tall, weighed 118lbs with good physical development, with a fresh comlexion, hazel coloured eyes and light brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

7.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion as a signaller.

12.11.15: Attached to No 2 Company ASC 22nd Divisional Train.

10. - 12.7.16: Wounded (gunshot wound to his back - empyema [a collection of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity]) at Trones Wood and admitted to 96 Field Ambulance. 

17.7.16: To 21 Casualty Clearing Post then to 2nd London Casualty Clearing Station then to 2 Stationary Hospital.

25.7.16: Evacuated to the UK on Hospital Ship Lanfranc. 

27.7.16-18.12.16: In York Military Hospital 

28.3.17:Discharged (heart problems) as a result of active service - he was breathless and incapable of any exertion - aged 28 years 27 days, address 47 Rose Mount - described as man of very good character.     

He was serving in the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15236 when he was badly wounded at Trones Wood on 10th July 1916 by a gun shot wound that penetrated his chest.

The murderous fighting that went on inside Trones Wood is best described in the following passage from Everard Wyrall’s book The History of The King’s Regiment (Liverpool) Volume II. 

The remembrance of Trones Wood in July 1916 to those who passed through it is of a noisome, horrible place, of a tangled mass of trees and undergrowth which had been tossed and flung about in frightful confusion by the shells of both sides. Of the ghastly dead which lay about in all directions, and of DEATH, lurking in every hole and corner with greedy hands ready to snatch the lives of the unwary. The place was a Death trap, and although the attacks were made with great determination,   the presence of snipers who could not be detected and often fired into the backs of our men made the clearing of the wood impossible.

His wounds were serious enough to see him discharged from the Army on 28/03/1917. He was given a Silver War Badge numbered 185717 to show he had served in the war and had been honourably discharged.

Wallasey News dated 5th August 1916 reported his wounding

Dangerously wounded in the back by shrapnel 10/7/16 and in Hospital in Abbeville. 

His wounding was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 5th August 1916

"Private D. Terry of the Pals, 1st Battalion, who was dangerously wounded in the back with shrapnel on 10th July is now in hospital at Abbeville. He was one of the first to join the Pals Battalion with the cotton contingent". 

Birkenhead News 2nd Sept 1916

TWO OXTONIAN'S WOUNDED

Last Sunday the prayers of the congregation of St. Saviour's were asked on the behalf of two young Oxtonians who have been grievously wounded. Second Lieutenant Percy H. Jones of the Cheshire's, only son of Mr and Mrs Jones of 45 Bessborough Road, Oxton, and Private Douglas Terry, Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, third son of Mr and Mrs W. F. Terry of 47 Rosemount, Oxton. These brave young fellows are of course both in hospital and we are very pleased to state that there is an improvement in their condition, which we sincerely hope will continue.         

Douglas sadly died of his wounds on the 08th September 1917, aged 28, at Kelowna Nursing Home, Llannerch Road, Llandrillo yn Rhos, Colwyn Bay. His death certificate shows that he died from Mitral stenosis and Toxaemia which appears to be the same as septicaemia, sepsis, systemic infection. It is thought that a wound to the chest/back could lead to toxaemia and death.

He now rests at Birkenhead Flaybrick Cemetery.

The Cemetery has 223 burials from the First World War.

The death of Douglas was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 10th September 1917:

TERRY - September 8 from wounds received in action July 10 1916, Private Douglas Terry (Late of the KLR) son of Mr & Mrs W. F. Terry of Rosemount, Oxton.

A detailed account of his wounds, death and funeral was also reported:

PRIVATE DOUGLAS TERRY

Dies from Wounds 

The death of Private Douglas Terry, King's Liverpool Regt took place on September 8th. Private Terry who was 29 years of age, was the son of Mr & Mrs W. F. Terry, Rose Mount, Oxton. At the outbreak of war after being rejected several times he eventually became attached to the 17th King's Liverpool Regiment. (1st City Battalion) with the cotton market contingent. Going to France in November 1915 he took part in the battle of the Somme, being in action from the 1st to the 10th July as runner to Major Higgins. He was severely wounded in the back by shrapnel on the 10th July 1916, and was picked up in a most critical condition about three days afterwards and conveyed to the South African base hospital. News was received that he had been very dangerously wounded. He, however, rallied and was later removed to the County Hospital, York where he appeared to be making progress. Septic pneumonia unfortunately set in and his condition once again became very critical. His good spirits, however, carried him through, and he was afterwards transferred to the Red Cross Convalescent Hospital at Beadale, Yorks, where he seemed to make good progress. He was afterwards ordered to join his unit at Pembroke Dock from whence he was discharged. Private Douglas Terry never fully regained his strength, and had a serious collapse some three weeks ago, passing away on Saturday morning. Whilst in hospital he was visited by his commander - Colonel Fairfax - who presented him with a signed picture of himself with the words "To a good runner". Always of a bright and cheerful dispostion Private Douglas Terry was a great favourite wherever he went and was immensely popular in his battalion. In commercial life he served his time with Messrs Pennefather and Co., cotton brokers and during the last year or two was a cotton salesman with Messrs Richardson and Ralli.

THE MILITARY FUNERAL

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at Falybrick Hill Cemetery, full military honours being accorded. The coffin which was draped with a Union Jack was conveyed to the cemetery on a gun carriage, and a firing party composed of members of the Cheshire Regt discharged three volleys over the graveside. The officiating minister was the Rev. T. Sherwood Jones (vicar of St Mary's Parish Church). 
The chief mourners were Mr & Mrs W. F. Terry (father and mother) W. F. Terry jun, Corporal R. S. Terry and Cecil Terry (brothers) Miss Terry (sister), Miss Freeman, Mr A. E. Jones (brother in law), Mrs. Cross and Miss Griffiths. 
The general mourners included the Rev. Canon Sayer, Dr. A.C.E. Harris, Mr and Mrs and the misses Sinclair, Messrs Collie, F.C. Higgins, F. N. Thompson, Dickens, Barber and son and F Parrington representing Pennefather and Co.         

The family headstone shows his date of death as 11th September 1917 but this would appear to be the date of his funeral.

Douglas is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Birkenhead Institute

St Andrew's Parish Church, West Kirby 

St Saviours Church, Oxton

Birkenhead War Memorial on Hamilton Square.

Liverpool Cotton Association, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool 

Douglas did not have a record on the CWGC website until liverpoolpals.com and the organisation In from the Cold contacted CWGC. A copy of Douglas' death certificate, service papers and newspaper reports concerning his military funeral were submitted in support of the application to have Douglas recognised as a casualty of the Great War. CWGC need to be shown evidence that his death was as a result of or was exacerbated by his military service. Thankfully CWGC accepted our submission as evidence and fittingly on Armistice Day 2021 Douglas Terry, deservedly, if belatedly, received the final recognition that his service deserved: 

A CWGC record now exists, which acknowledges Douglas as a Soldier who died in the Great War.

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