Pte 32257 Albert Hugh Doherty

• Age: 19
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Albert Hugh Doherty was born in Bootle, Liverpool on 14th November 1896 the son of Hugh and Mary Doherty (nee Joyce) of 5 Cedar Street, Bootle. He was baptised on 27th December 1896 at St Marys C. of E., Bootle, at the time of his baptism his parents lived at 24 Nevada Street, and his father's occupation was given as labourer.

On the 1891 Census Hugh and daughter Martha are boarding with the Catherine Friel (nee Doherty) and family at 32 Florida Street, Bootle. He is aged 34, a coal heaver, Martha is aged 8 and at school. 

His parents married in 1891 at St Mary's Church in Walton. His father was born in Ireland and his mother in Ormskirk. His father was a widower with a daughter Martha, born in about 1883 in  Londonderry, Ireland.  Together, they had eight children, three of whom died young. His siblings who appear on censuses are: Mary Ann Nita (or Anita), Elizabeth Ann, Annie, and James. Three sons appear not to have survived: Augustus, Arthur Robert, and John Joyce.

In 1901 Hugh (as Dougherty) aged 43 and Mary aged 38 were living at 24 Nevada Street, Bootle with children Martha 18, Mary A. 8, Elizabeth 6, Albert Hugh 4, Annie 2 and James 4 months. They have a 47-year old boarder, Albert French, a mercantile clerk born on the Isle of Wight.  

His father died in 1911 aged 52. 

On the 1911 Census, Mary, aged 45 is recorded as a widow, working as an office cleaner and living at 65 Cedar Street, Bootle with three of her five surviving children. Anita, 18 is a packer in a flour mill, Albert Hugh 14 is an errand boy and James 10 is at school.

Albert enlisted in Liverpool joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 32257. (Similar service numbers enlisted in Seaforth around the 27th March 1916 with the 22nd Reserve Btn.) 

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone. 

Albert was initially reported Missing, then Wounded;   

The anxiety of the family can only be imagined as Albert's death was confirmed when a death notice appeared in the Bootle Times on 22nd June 1917, almost a year after his death. This was followed by memorial notices in subsequent years to mark the anniversary of his death.

KILLED IN ACTION

DOHERTY. - Previously reported missing, now reported killed in action, Pte. Albert Hugh, dearly beloved son of Mary Doherty, 65, Cedar-street.

Nobly he fought, and nobly fell. Loving his home and country well, Tho’ sadly mourned, his conflict o’er, We’ll meet where the war shall come no more. 

DOHERTY. - In loving memory of Pte. Albert Hugh Doherty, 4th "Pals," presumed killed July 30th, 1916. - Sadly missed by Mother and all at 65, Cedar street.

Fresh in our hearts his memory clings, Yet still our grief is sore; Each passing year will nearer bring The day we'll meet once more. 09th August 1918 

DOHERTY. - In loving remembrance of Private Albert H. Doherty, 20th K.L.R., presumed killed July 30th, 1916. - Sadly missed by Mother and all at 65, Cedar street.

For honour, liberty, and truth He sacrificed his glorious youth.

1st August 1919

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

No 1914-1915 Star medal roll has been found, suggesting he arrived in France after his battalion, in 1916.

His outstanding Army pay and a War Gratuity of £3 went to his mother, who was awarded a pension of 5/- a week from April 1917, later increased to 10/-.

Albert is also remembered on the following Memorials:

Bootle Civic Memorial

St Mary’s School, Bootle

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