John Howard Dothie

Rank 
Second Lieutenant
Regiment 
Border Regiment
Date of death 
27 June 1916
Age of death 
21
Address 
32 Endsleigh Gardens
Ilford
RED
IG1 3EH
Address source 
1911 Census
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Biography 

John Dothie was born in California, U.S.A, in 1895. His parents were Captain James Dothie and Ellen Dothie. John had an older brother, Elvery, who was born in 1892.

In 1901, John was living in Ilford with his mother and brother. His father, who was a Naval Captain, was not at home during the census. In 1907, James Dothie passed away, leaving his wife to bring up their two sons. By 1911, John was living with his mother at 32 Endsleigh Gardens, Ilford. According to the census, John was working as a stenographer and clerk at the Gold Mining Company in London.

John enlisted in December 1914. He was killed in action on 27th June 1916, aged 21 years old. He was buried in Fricourt, on the Somme. John’s brother, Elvery, had already been killed on 9th May 1915. Ellen Dothie outlived her husband and both of her children, dying in 1945, nearly 30 years after the death of her youngest son.

Research by Redbridge Museum, with thanks Frances Speakman

Sources:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Ancestry.com