Pte 57528 Joseph Valentine Dignam

• Age: 28
• From: Dundee
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: A.18

Joseph Valentine Dignam was born on the 16th Sept 1888 at 10 Annfield Row, Dundee, the son of James and Margaret (nee Farquharson) Dignam, who were married on the 26th Sept 1886 at St Joseph's Chapel, Dundee.

Father James married his first wife Agnes Thomson in 1869, together they had children William, Euphemia(died), James, Hector, Andrew, Jane and Mary Ann.

Agnes died in 1885 aged 40.

On the 1891 census the family are living at 48 Small's Wynd, Dundee.

Father James is aged 42 a factory labourer b.Ireland, mother Margaret 34 b.Lochee, children born Dundee, James 16 a mill worker, Hector 14 a mill worker, Andrew 11 a mill worker, Mary Anne 9 a scholar, Jane 8 a scholar, and from the 2nd marriage Peter 3, Joseph 2, and Dora 1.

Father James, 48 Small's Wynd, is reported as the secretary of Western FC in the Dundee Courier 27th Nov 1893. They were looking for fixtures over Christmas.

On the 1901 census the family have moved to 5 Milnbank Rd, Dundee.

Father James 53 is a disabled labourer, mother Margaret S.W. 43, children Mary A.W. 19 a jute spinner, Jane 18 a jute spinner, Peter 14 a jute rover, Joseph 13 a scholar, and Dora 11 a scholar, Innes 10 a scholar, Jemima 8 a scholar, John 6 a scholar, and Daniel 2.

Father died of Locomotor Atrophy/Paralysis on the 7th Nov 1910 at 2 Lawrence Street, Dundee.

Joseph is found in Dundee on the 1911 census as Dignan. Mother Margaret 54, children James 36, Peter 23, Joseph 22, Dora 21, Innes 20, Jemima 18, John 16, Daniel 13, and Betsy 9.

Prior to the war he was employed at Dundee Calendering Co. Queen Street.

Joseph enlisted in Dundee and was formerly 828, Highland Divisional Cyclist Company and following a transfer he was serving in the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 57528 when he was killed in action on the 9th April, 1917 aged 28 during the Battle of Arras. 

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded. 

Joseph now rests at Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery, France.

Soldiers Effects to mother Margaret, Pension to brother Daniel Dignam of 2 Lawrence Street, Dundee.

Mother died on the 14th May 1938 aged 81 at Mayfield Hospital, Dundee.

Brother Hector Dignan, 31 Watsons Lane, Dundee, enlisted with the 4th (Reserve) Battalion of the Black Watch on 17th Oct 1914. He earned his 1915 Star, British and Victory medals as 223119 11th Camerons. Received a GSW on 29th Nov 1915. Service records exist showing he received a pension in 1919.

His brother John also served in the Great War but survived. Sadly he died following an accident in France on 18th February 1940 during World War II, whilst serving with the Royal Artillery.

We currently have no further information on Joseph Valentine Dignam, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.