Description
Distinguished Conduct Medal, GV, British War and Victory Medal, Defence Medal and 1939-45 War Medal, 30875 Sergeant Frank Doughty, 132nd Oxfordshire Heavy Battery R.G.A. ended his service in 1924 in Colombo, Ceylon
DCM announced in London Gazette, Supplement to LG, 3rd June 1918, with citation following on 21st October 1918, the Citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
When the Battery position was heavily shelled for about 2 hours, the men having no task at the time, were ordered to a flank.
This NCO, without orders, relieved the telephonist on duty, and remained at the post until all communications were hopelessly cut. The telephone dug-out was not splinter splinter proof.”
DCM officially impressed: “30875 Cpl F. Doughty. 132/Oxf: Hy By. R.G.A.”
Pair officially impressed: “30875 Sjt. F. Doughty. R.G.A.”
Group all swing mounted on silk ribbons as worn, one small bruise to DCM and slight general contacting over the years.
Frank Hall Doughty, was born on 7th August 1889 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire during 1890, at Sedgwick Street in St Barnabas, Cambridge.
He was the son of Frank Edwin and Alice Doughty, his father was a local clerk.
Frank was baptised on 26th March 1890.
His father, although he was already 47 years old, enlisted into the 9th Suffolk Regiment on 10th October 1914, although he was discharged was unlikely to be an efficient soldier.
Interestingly his father was a long serving Cambridge Volunteer Territorial, who had 26 years service and retired with the rank of Colour Sergeant, so he was unlikely to miss his attempt at service in WW1.
It looks like after his discharge he kept himself busy as a Special Constable.
His father was also a common sight around Cambridge, being a local Referee for Cambridge Football Association.
On 30th March 1909, a 19 year old Frank was living in Great Yarmouth working as a General Labourer, when he attested for full time service with the Royal Artillery.
Before the war, he was sent to Ceylon for the 1st time to serve with 93rd Company RGA, where he is entered on the 1911 Census.
He served through the war as a pre-war Regular Army Soldier, only arriving into France with the 176th Heavy Battery RGA, who arrived in France on 29th September 1916.
He earned his DCM followed by a Promotion to Sergeant before the end of the war.
The Cambridge Daily News 6th June 1918 noting his award:
“LOCAL HONOURS – DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDALS – The following names are contained in a list of awards of the D.C.M. for service in France – Corpl F. Doughty R.G.A. (Cambridge).”
Choosing to continue his service further, on 4th January 1919 he re-enlisted for additional service.
Being posted to his old pre-war unit, the 93rd Company RGA, he was sent again to Colombo in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka.
Finally discharged in Ceylon at Colombo on 31st March 1923, said to be serving as a Sergeant with “Exemplary” Character.
His address on discharge was noted as “Sigiriya, Batelle Road, Colombo, Ceylon”.
After his discharge he returned home to his family in Cambridge.
Likely saw some Home Guard service in WW2, as he was almost 50 years old when the war began.
He later died in Cambridge during 1978.
