No.16404, Private, Alan DOCKERILL
Aged 22
|
Alan Dockerill was born in Bottisham (believed to be Alan Arthur Dockerill, Newmarket Q3-1893 3B:505) son of Stephen and Eliza Mynott DOCKERILL (née OSBOURNE ).
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Chrishall Grange, Chrishall with his father Stephen DOCKERILL [47] horsekeeper on farm, born Horseheath; his mother Eliza [43] born Castle Camps, brothers Mark [24] stock man, George [21] stock man, Frank [15] teamster, all born in Horseheath, brother Walter, born Bottisham; sisters Maud [11], Grace [9] born Horseheath and Bertha [3 months] born Swaffham Bulbeck. 1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was in Bottisham with his parents, brothers Mark (stable lad) and Walter (bricklayer's labourer, and sisters Grace and Bertha Jessie. CWGC later have their address as Potters Yard, Bottisham. He married Bertha Rachel GOODY in 1915 (Newmarket Q2-1915 3B:1477). They had 3 children, a daughter, sons William [1913-1981] and Alan [1916-1991]. Some details obtained from a public family tree. |
|
He enlisted in Cambridge. His medal card has a different spelling for both his given name and surname.
The 11th Suffolks were one of only 2 Suffolk battalions engaged on the opening day of the Somme offensive a week earlier, a black day in British military history. Alan was wounded on that opening day of the battle, 1st July 1916, and died later in a General Hospital at Boulogne. The 11th Suffolks had actually started the battle on July 1st opposite La Boiselle, at Becourt Wood. where they were very nearly wiped out, sustaining 691 casualties of all ranks. They were relieved on the 4th. His brother in law, Harry Goody, also in the 11th Suffolks, was killed on the same day see here
photo: Rodney Gibson photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
