Photo : Grandson Ian Mullen
Medal Index Card
The Victory and War Medal
The children were called Joseph born December 1901, Sarah Elizabeth, born 1907 and Hannah Millburn born 1910. All were born in South Shields. Two other children died.
In 1881, the father Joseph Douglass was residing at 72 North Row, by 1895 he had moved with his wife to 95 Adelaide Street, South Shields.
William Marshall was educated at the Holy Trinity School for Boys at South Shields, admission number was 2579, and was at the school from 28th April 1908 till the 23rd March 1910. Incidentally a Joseph Douglass [possibly his younger Brother] also was admitted to the same school on the same day as William, his admission number was 2580, however, he stayed on at School until the 22nd October 1914.
By 1911 the family were all residing at Victoria Road Cottages, South Shields, the father was working as a Stonemason, Coal miner Underground and William as a Driver in a coal mine underground for Harton Coal Company.
William Marshall Douglass had enlisted into the 23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish), Northumberland Fusiliers Battalion in early 1915 with the service number 1518, he was in 'B' Company.
Suggest, he may have been wounded at the Somme, as its recorded that he was wounded again in August/ September 1918, with the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry.
His battalion on the first day of the Somme, suffered approximately 668 casualties, [sources vary to the exact figure], at the 23rd Battalion Aid Post was a North Shields G.P., Captain James Muirhead RAMC, had estimated that between 7.30am to 10.00am he treated almost 750 men!
William was later transferred in to the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry and was given the service number 282450.
William was married to Isabella, [born 29th April 1900], and they had four children, Irene, Underwood, born 30th July 1926, Isabel, Mullen, born 9th April 1929, Richard G. born 9th January 1931.
In 1939 the family were residing at 87 Quarry Lane, South Shields, William also was a ARP, warden at the First Aid post during WW2. Also there was a widow called Isabella Oley, born 24th August 1871 residing at the same address.
William died June 1955, age 59.
With Thanks : Ian Mullen/Peter Hoy
William Marshall Douglass is remembered at South Shields in S86.082