De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 3 page 144

Newcastle Journal Newspaper Report of the Somme

Roll of Casaulties from Northern Regiments.

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 18/07/1916

David Douglas Horne was born on the 22nd October 1875, at St Aidans Road, Carlisle, the eldest son of John Horne, of Dysart House, Carlisle, Director of Messrs Cowan, Sheldon & Co., Ltd., Engineers, Carlisle, and his wife Mary, daughter of the late John Steele of Dysart Co Fife. Residing at St Aidan's Road, Carlisle.

David Douglas Horne was educated at the Grosvenor College, Carlisle, and became an Electrical Engineer, being the Newcastle Representative of the Messrs Crompton and Co Ltd of London and Chelmsford. The Newcastle offices were based at 21 Pearl Assurance Buildings.

He had served his apprenticeship at his fathers works, Messrs Cowans Sheldon and Co., where his father managed the works.

David joined the 1st Cumberland Volunteer Artillery on the 8th of June 1901, as a 2nd Lieutenant, then transferred to the 4th East Lancashire Field Artillery, promoted to a Lieutenant in July 1903.

He married at Withernsea, East Yorkshire, on the 10th February 1902, Mabel, daughter of the late Christopher Brooke, of Blackburn, they had two daughters Isabel Mary, born 17th November 1902, and Mabel born 1st January 1910.

He resigned his commission in 1912.

On the outbreak of war he volunteered for service and obtained a commission on the 6th November 1914. Promoted to a Captain, then attached to the 20th Battalion (1st Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers.

He served in the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 1st June 1916.

He also was in the 29th Reserve Battalion until the 18th December 1915, was then transferred in to the 20th, prior to moving to the 21st Battalion.

David was killed in action on the 1st July while leading his company at La Boisselle, during the battle of the Somme. He was in the 21st Battalion (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion at the time.

His Commanding Officer wrote:-The Brigade Commander deplores the death of Captain D. D. Horne, and desires to express to you his deepest sympathy. Captain Horne was killed whilst gallantly leading his company. He fell in the original German line at Boisselle, and was buried there.

And a brother officer: It is with deep feelings of regret that I write to inform you that your husband was killed in action on 1st July 1916 at 7.40am. The fighting was terrible, our losses very heavy, but they all fell bravely. I was with Captain Horne at Aldbrough, and when he came out here he took charge of my company. There are only 2 officers left in the 2nd Battalion.

Another officer also wrote:-I spoke to David this morning before he was killed , and he was so cheerful, and reminded me so much of the old times at Alnwick, when you will remember we occupied adjoining rooms. I was very sorry that he was not posted to his old battalion, but in all probability he would not have fared any better with them. In fact , of the whole Battalion, only -----, who happened to be away on a special course, and myself are the only two left. I am only sorry that more particulars cannot be given, but our task in trying to clear up the details is a very difficult one.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

David Douglas Horne is remembered at Alnwick on A11.03 and in A11.09 page 13.

The Lochnagacrater Watch the film
Tyneside Scottish Website
The CWGC entry for Captain Horne