Private William Dougherty
16035 11th East Lancashire Regiment
Lived at 1 Magdelene Terrace
Missing in Action 1st July 1916, aged 26
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Burnley Express 16th August 1916

Burnley News August 16th 1916 Another Burnley “Pal” Officially Reported Missing

Another Burnley “Pal” Private William Dougherty, son of Mr. Wm. Dougherty, a member of the Burnley National Reserve, and who is serving in the Royal Home Defence Corps., is officially reported missing. He was 26, and was engaged as an upholsterer at Messrs. Turton’s, Westgate. His brother, Private Harry Dougherty, is at present serving in the A.S.C., while a step-brother, Pte. Joe Mulloy, 7th East Lancs., has been serving in France since Loos, although only 19 years of age. Writing to Mrs. Dougherty, who lives at 1, Magdalene Street, a comrade, Pte. W. Howard, states:-

“I am deeply grieved to have to tell you that up to now (July 20th), nothing has been heard of your son Willie. In the regimental casualty list he is posted as missing. It does not naturally follow, of course, that he has been killed. There is always a possibility of having been taken a prisoner, and I trust that this latter surmise will eventually prove correct. Not only myself, but the rest of the platoon miss his presence amongst us. He was always cheery and a splendid chum. We are all anxiously looking forward to any definite news of him. May be, some of the fellows now wounded and in hospital could give you some idea as to what happened to him. It is terribly hard for you I know, and the uncertainty will make the burden harder to bear. If it will be of any comfort to you, I might say that, along with myself and other Roman Catholics, he received Holy Communion but a few hours before the disastrous charge. Please accept our sympathy, trusting that this letter will be followed by more cheery news.”

Lieut. F. A. Heys added the following footnote to Private Howard’s letter:

“On behalf of the officers and men of this company I send my deepest sympathy in your loss. There is some hope that he may be a prisoner, but no news has come to us so far. Reluctantly we have had to post him missing. He was a very cheerful comrade and a gallant soldier, and if he has gone, I hope you will find consolation in the fine record of good service he left behind him.”