Douglas Murray Cameron was born in Hackney in 1883, son of William (Manager of Ships Chandler Business) and Mary Cameron. In 1901, aged seventeen years old, Douglas was working as a clerk and living with his family at Truby House, High Street, Woodford. Douglas was one of thirteen brothers and sisters, though by 1911 only ten were still living. He seems to be missing from the 1911 Census. His address for Probate was 14 Hermon Hill, Wanstead. Douglas was a pupil at Bancroft’s School. In 1914 he enlisted at Lowestoft.
Douglas enlisted in the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, where he eventually became a Sergeant. He arrived in France on 30th May 1915, and went into the front line at Ploegsteert. He was in charge of a group of grenade throwers - a “Bomb Sergeant”. He participated in fighting around Loos and during January 1916 was in the line to the north of La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. He was killed on active service on 14th January 1916. He was originally buried in Givenchy Churchyard and now is buried at Windy Corner, Guards Cemetery in Calais, France. He left his effects, amounting to £553 7s 5ds, to Alfred Harris Smith, a ship broker.
He is commemorated on the family grave at Chingford Mount Cemetery and Wanstead War Memorial.
Research by Adrian Lee and Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ancestry.com
For more information on this individual please see The Old Bancroftian website.