Richard Docherty likeness

Richard Docherty cap badgePrivate Richard Docherty

1/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 292068 / 46890

Richard Docherty grave

315

0

4

0

40
Personal details

Family Information

Son of Richard and Mary Ann Quinn Docherty of 441 Main St, Coatbridge. From the 1901 Census - Address - 126e Alexander St, Coatbridge - Richard Docherty aged 44, Mary Docherty aged 35, Mary Docherty aged 17, James Docherty aged 13 and Richard Docherty aged 8. Richard's Pension was awarded to his mother Mary Ann on the 06/05/1918.

Born / Resided

Prestonpans, Haddington / 441 Main St, Coatbridge.

Died

Killed in Action on the 26/10/1917 at the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele (part of the Battles of Ypres 1917)

Enlisted

Coatbridge

Employed

Bricklayer.

Age

24 / DOB - 03/03/1893

Buried / Remembered

Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 19 to 23), West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The battles of the Ypres Salient claimed many lives on both sides and it quickly became clear that the commemoration of members of the Commonwealth forces with no known grave would have to be divided between several different sites. The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates those of all Commonwealth nations, except New Zealand, who died in the Salient, in the case of United Kingdom casualties before 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. Other New Zealand casualties are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery. The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known.

Additional Information

The Battalion landed in France in April 1915 and were part of the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Division took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele from the 26th October - 29th October 1917. This was part of the Battles of Ypres, 1917 (Third Ypres) : 31st July - 10th November 1917 : The British finally got what they had wanted since 1914 : the opportunity to attack at Ypres and breakout of the confines of the salient of trenches around it. Often known as the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele, the offensive began with encouraging gains but terrible summer weather soon bogged it down. By August the offensive was clearly failing in its objectives and had descended into attritional fighting. New techniques by both sides led to agonisingly slow forward movement for the British, at enormous cost in casualties to both sides. Bad weather in October led to the battlefield becoming an impossible quagmire. Richard was formerly with the Royal Engineers (4284). The Battalion War Diary states casualties for the 26/10/1917 were - 9 Officers Killed, 1 Wounded, 1 Wounded and Missing believed Killed, 43 Other Ranks Killed, 150 Wounded, 53 Missing. SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR THE 1/7th BATTALION NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS WAR DIARY FROM APRIL 1915 TO JANUARY 1918. THIS TELLS THE STORY OF THE BATTALION ON THE DAY RICHARD FELL 26/10/1917 HERE Richard is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Roll of Honour (book). See photos for Richard's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, Richard's parents names on the North Lanarkshire Electoral Register (Coatbridge) 1919, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial x 2, his name on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel List, his CWGC Grave Registration, Richard's Pension Records x 2, an aerial view of Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial, his former Regiment the Royal Engineers Cap Badge and the Northumberland Fusiliers Cap Badge. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 19 FOR THE 50th (NORTHUMBRIAN) DIVISION BOOK 24th OCTOBER - 10th NOVEMBER 1917 and the 50th (Northumbrian) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division Richard was with when he died).

Photos
Richard Docherty Medal Index CardRichard Docherty remembered at homeRichard Docherty remembered at homeRichard Docherty remembered at homeRichard Docherty remembered at homeRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photoRichard Docherty additional photo

Creative Commons License

We have made this information and the images available under a Creative Commons BY-NC license. This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement: © coatbridgeandthegreatwar.com

Comments

There are no comments yet for Private Richard Docherty. Be the first to leave one.


Do you have any information about or memories of Private Richard Docherty that you would like to share?

Or even if you would just like to leave a message to say you've been here, please leave a comment below.

*Please note that all comments are verified by a moderator before appearing on the site. All fields are required except links to photos.