Ralphs Home page

LOCATIONS AND DATES (ALONG WITH NOTES)
THAT WERE VISITED
CAMPAINS THE LT RALPH. D. DOUGHTY. M.C. SERVED IN DURING HIS SERVICE FOR THE AIF, IN WWI
     
From - To
Locations
Dates
Notes - Information
Left
 Stratford, Taranaki. 1913 at the age of 21 Arrived in Sydney, Australia.
Enlisted in
 Sydney, New South Wales. 24th August, 1914 Rank: Bombardier.
Unit name
 Field Artillery Brigade 1, Battery 2.     Allotted army number 193.
Left
 Sydney, Australia. 18 October 1914 Aboard the SS 'Argyleshire'.
Dated from the
 5th April 1915 In Cairo, Egypt.
Arrived in
 Cairo, Egypt. 5th April 1915 For rigorous training and High Life.
Arrived in
 Alexandria, Egypt. 6th April 1915 First feed of Bully Beef & Biscuits.
Left
 Alexandria, Egypt. 10th April 1915 Travelled aboard the SS 'Indian'.
Arrived at
 Mudros Bay, Lemnos Is. 12th April 1915 Anchored under torpedo protection.
Got ashore at
 Mudros Bay, Lemnos Is. 18th April 1915 But only spent one day ashore.
Landed at
 Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli. 26th April 1915 Returned to ship. Beach was to full.
Disembarked ashore
 At Cape Helles. 4th May 1915 Saw to the unloading of the guns.
Went into Action
 Opened fire at night. 5th May 1915 Peppered in return. No casualties.
Caught the
 Pyrexia illness. 27th July 1915 With a temperature of 104!
Left
 Cape Helles. 28th July 1915 And got plonked on a mine sweeper.
Arrived at
 Lemnos Is. 29th July 1915 Ordered to go straight away to bed.
Left
 Lemnos Is. 4th August 1915 Returned back to Cape Helles.
Arrived back at
 Cape Helles. 5th August 1915 'W' beach. Into action at night.
End of Diary One
Dated the
 15th September 1915 Send diary one back to Lottie.
Dated from the
 16th September 1915 25th Sept Lottie's Birthday.
Left
 'W' beach, Cape Helles. 30th September 1915 Travelled aboard 'Princess Louise'.
Arrived at
 Embros Is. 1st October 1915 Party ashore to get fruit & supplies.
Returned to
 'W' beach, Cape Helles. 1st October 1915 Loaded the 1st & 3rd Batteries.
Unloaded at
 ANZAC Cove. 2nd October 1915 Right section of the 3rd ashore.
Returned to
 Embros Is. 2nd October 1915 To dangerous after day break.
Left
 Embros Is. 2nd October 1915 Returned to ANZAC cove at dusk.
Arrived at
 ANZAC Cove. 2nd October 1915 Disembarked ashore at 5.30am.
Arrived at
 Destination (Shrapnel Gully). 5th October 1915 Awaiting orders to go into action.
Left
 'Walkers Pier', ANZAC Cove. 6th October 1915 Travelled aboard SS 'Elkahera'.
Arrived at
'Mudros West', Lemnos Is.
7th October 1915
 Proceeded to our Rest Camp.
Left
'Mudros West', Lemnos Is.
6th November 1915
 Travelled aboard SS 'Newmarket'.
Landed at
'Walkers Landing', ANZAC Cove.
7th November 1915
 Returned to Bty. Got to the dugout.
End of Diary Two
Dated the
21st November 1915
 Awaiting Orders at night.
Dated from the
 22nd November 1915  
Still at
ANZAC Cove.
 22nd November 1915 Raining. Stormy and cold at night.
Orders to leave
ANZAC Cove.
 3rd December 1915 Via Walker's Ridge on a trawler.
Arrived at
Embros Is.
 3rd December 1915 At 5.30. Camped in tents again.
Left
Embros Is.
 8th December 1915 Aboard the TBD 'Chelmer'.
Arrived at
Nudros W, Lemnos Is.
 8th December 1915 Arrived at Camp. Great trip across.
Received orders
Embarked from Sapper Pier.
 30th December 1915 And got aboard SS 'Tunisican'.
Left
Lemnos Is.
 31st December 1915 At 4 am. and picked up an escort.
Slight diversion
Submarine reported.
 1st January 1916 Heading SE to S towards Alexandria.
Sailed at
High speed all night.
 2nd January 1916 Arrived off Alexandria at 6.30 am.
Got to the wharf
Disembark orders at 9.30.
 2nd January 1916 At present 12.30 am. Things doing.
Arrived at
Tel-el Kebir.
 3rd January 1916 Received a big mail. 3 parcels.
GOD SPEED THE CROWS AND FORCE THE NARROWS.
Must record 36 hour of leave in Cairo. Had a great time but felt like a fish out of water.
SLEPT IN A BED WITH SHEETS!
Still at Tel-el Kebir
Expect to leave within the next 3 or 4 weeks.
Will finish now.
 
FINNIS.
  
End of diary Three
Dated the
3rd January 1916
      
Dated from the
 2nd March 1916  
Transferred to the
 Field Artillery Brigade, 9th Battery 3, on the 12th March, 1916.  
Still at
Tel-el Kebir.
 22nd March 1916 Leaving Egypt as a 'Blooming OFFICER'.
1st star confirmed
for Ralph. D. Doughty.
 22nd March 1916 Now a 2 nd Lieutenant.
Left
Tel-el Kebir.
 23rd March 1916 In the morning aboard a train.
Arrived at
Alexandria.
 23rd March 1916 Now travel 1st Class you know.
Left
Alexandria.
 23rd March 1916 Aboard SS 'Nessian' (Leyland Line).
Went past
Malta.
 27th March 1916 Orders to head for Marseilles.
Went past
Tunis.
 27th March 1916 Passed quite close to the country.
Went past
Sardinia.
 28th March 1916 A large forbidding island.
Went past
Corsica.
 28th March 1916 Went past Corsica during the night.
Into the
Gulf of Lyons.
 28th March 1916 The tidal roll here is upsetting.
Arrived at
Marseilles.
 29th March 1916 Our first glimpse of France at 7am.
Tied up
At the wharf at 12am.
 29th March 1916 Tied up at the wharf and disembarked.
Walked to
The rest camp Fournier.
 29th March 1916 About 2 miles from the wharf.
Left
Marseilles.
 6th April 1916 Recieved orders and left station.
Stoped at
Orange.
 7th April 1916 After travelling all night.
Travelled through
Marcon.
 8th April 1916 And having a lovely trip.
Stopped
Briefly.
 8th April 1916 To fed the horses at night.
Travelled through
The Champagne District.
 8th April 1916 Got drinkables and a cooked pheasant.
Passed by
The outskirts of Paris.
 8th April 1916 Went around the outskirts at 3.30 am.
Arrived at
Le Havre.
 9th April 1916 Detrained the horses and stores.
Walked to
Sanvic Rest camp. No 2.
 9th April 1916 Walked about 6½ miles.
Left
Le Havre at 10 pm.
 13th April 1916 Orders. Entraining at train station.
Pulled up at
Auzéville-en-Argonne.
 14th April 1916 To water and fed the horses.
Now in the
War Zone.
 14th April 1916 Saw 2 carriages of Australian nurses.
Arrived at
Destination Borre.
 14th April 1916 Left the station to go to billets.
Arrived at
Billets at 10.30 pm.
 14th April 1916 To the sound of audible gunfire.
Left
Borre.
 17th April 1916 Boarded a transport for a 12 mile ride.
Onto the
Front Line.
 18th April 1916 Sundry 'hates' all day. Almost froze.
Orders to
Return to Borre.
 21st April 1916 On duty. Left base at 9.30 am.
Went via
Outtersteene.
 21st April 1916 About 6 miles and boarded a train.
Got out at
Hazebrouck.
 21st April 1916 And walked from there to Borre.
Arrived at
Borre.
 21st April 1916 Saw Chas who is not looking well.
Left
Borre to return.
 21st April 1916 Rode to the station to board a train.
Ordered to
Get the Bty billeted.
 22nd April 1916 In Gestaves. Raining like old nick.
Rode into
Le Pailly.
 23rd April 1916 For pay and a few other things.
Went to
Bac St Maurit.
 25th April 1916 Located a temporary W.L. for the Bty.
Short stay
In Fleurbaix.
 28th April 1916 Down at W.L. to check new Bty guns.
Left the
Waggon line.
 28th April 1916 And arrived at the 12th Bty position.
Returned to
Fleurbaix.
 28th April 1916 And received two letters by mail.
Left
Battery.
 11th May 1916 Fritz scored one hit. Downed a plane.
Arrived at
Fleurbaix.
 11th May 1916 Had a bit of fun teaseing French girls.
Went through
Bai St Maurit.
 16th May 1916 Saw little French restaurants.
Rode through
Sailly-sur-la-Lys.
 29th May 1916 Looking for a new Waggon Line.
Arrived at
Estaires.
 29th May 1916 And had dinner, saves being shelled.
Returned to
Battery.
 29th May 1916 By the light of the 'German' flares.
Left
Fluerbaix Waggon Line.
 30th May 1916 To head for W.L. Bac Saint-Maur
Arrived at
Bac Saint-Maur.
 30th May 1916 And getting to know about Flanders.
Rode into
Estaires.
 31st May 1916 Had a good afternoon. Home at 11 pm.
Returned to
Estaires.
 1st June 1916 Brought several things at the mess.
Went into
Estaires.
 3rd June 1916 Had dinner at the Hotel De Ville.
Rode into
Estaires.
 7th June 1916 Had another dinner there.
Galloped into
Estaires.
 12th June 1916 And got lost. Had a 'hate' later on.
Got leave
Rode into Estaires.
 21st June 1916 Got a pair of boots and some sundries.
Rode into
Doullens.
 4th July 1916 Massing to make a move north.
Rode into
Estaires.
 6th July 1916 Came out at 9.30. No orders yet.
Rode into
Estaires.
 7th July 1916 Have been in readiness to move.
Rode into
Doullens.
 8th July 1916 Had a bit of revolver practise.
2nd star confirmed
for Ralph. D. Doughty.
 9th July 1916 Now a 1 st Lieutenant.
Rode into
Beauval.
 10th July 1916 Brought a rain coat and things.
Entrained at
Beauval West.
 11th July 1916 Marching Orders. Left W.L.
Arrived at
Doullens.
 11th July 1916 Arrived at the Railway Station.
Left station at
Doullens.
 12th July 1916 Rode 16 miles to our billets.
Past through
Flesselles village.
 13th July 1916 Horses stood up rather well.
Left
Doullens.
 18th July 1916 Orders to hand to get out.
Got to
Harponville.
 18th July 1916 Bombardments day and night.
Trekked to
Albert.
 19th July 1916 Arrived at temporary W.L.
Arrived at
Becourt.
 20th July 1916 Playing war again, day and night.
Objective being
The taking of Pozieres.
 24th July 1916 Won, but at a pretty rotten cost.
Past through
Maretz Wood.
 7th August 1916 Got to W.L. and onto Albert.
Arrived at
Albert.
 7th August 1916 Had first decent night's sleep.
Left
Albert.
 8th August 1916 Orders to prepare for a 'hate'.
Arrived at
Le Val de Maison.
 8th August 1916 Roads coated with dust.
Arrived at
St Legerles Domant.
 9th August 1916 Met the boys from the 1st Bge.
 
Extract from Brigade Order issued on the night of the 9th August 1916.
1st Australian Division
3rd Field Artillery Brigade, HQ.
St Seger, 9/8/1916.

To BCs Officers, and all other Ranks

Simply expressing, most sincerely, to every one of you my grateful appreciation of your work during the last twenty days.

(signed) W.L.H Bung . Leuit. Colonel Commanding 3rd FA Bde.
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
End of Diary Four
Dated the
11th August 1916 No more dodging bullets & shells.
Dated from the
 12th August 1916
Left
St Seger.
 15th August 1916 Received Marching Orders.
Arrived at
Val de Maison.
 15th August 1916 Raining like old Nick.
Arrived at
Vadencourt Wood.
 15th August 1916 Still raining like old Nick.
Left
Vadencourt Wood.
 16th August 1916 Took over the guns of the 12th Bty.
Rode into
Armentieres (Ypres way).
 31st August 1916 For Pay. Great ride.
Rode into
Bailleul.
 31st August 1916 And had dinner there.
Left
Godewaersvelde.
 1st September 1916 Marching orders to hand.
Arrived at
Reninghelst.
 1st September 1916 With mud and slush everywhere.
Rode into
Poperinge.
 2nd September 1916 In the afternoon. Decent day today.
Returned to
Waggon Line.
 2nd September 1916 Got back to Waggon Line at 6 pm.
Past through
Ypres.
 2nd September 1916 Saw Cloth Hall destroyed.
Into the
Firing line.
 2nd September 1916 Took section into action tonight.
Left Firing line
Rode into Poperinge.
 16th September 1916 In the afternoon for dinner there.
Went to
Reninghelst.
 18th September 1916 Had an evening at the YMCA.
Visited
Poperinge.
 20th September 1916 Raining like old nick.
Rode into
Poperinge.
 21st September 1916 Got back in time for dinner.
Rode into
Poperinge.
 22nd September 1916 Had dinner. Visited 2 Picture shows.
Left
Poperinge.
 24th September 1916 Written after returning from leave.
Arrived at
Hazebrouck.
 24th September 1916 Had a break at some hotel.
Left
Hazebrouck
 24th September 1916 At 10.15.
Arrived in
Boulognestraat.
 24th September 1916 Had dinner at the officers club.
Left
Boulognestraat.
 25th September 1916 Escorted across by destroyers.
Arrived at
Folkestone.
 25th September 1916 England .
Came up
Through Kent then Sussex.
 25th September 1916 And headed for London.
Arrived at
London.
 25th September 1916 To be put up at the Regent Palace.
Left
London (Euston).
 26th September 1916 Left London by N.W. Express train.
Arrived at
Manchester.
 26th September 1916 Honestly it's worth waiting 2 years.
Arrived at
Aunty's.
 26th September 1916 And what a reception.
Left in the morning
Went to Cleveleys, Blackpool.
 27th September 1916 Saw the girls, not a moments quiet.
Back to
The Regent again.
 3rd October 1916 Waiting for the word to leave.
Left
London.
 5th October 1916 At 9.50 am.
Arrived in
Folkestone.
 5th October 1916 Left there at 4.20 pm.
Arrived at
Boulognestraat.
 5th October 1916 And went right through.
Arrived at
Poperinge.
 5th October 1916 Walked 2½ miles on a road.
Back to
Battery.
 6th October 1916 Take position from the 3rd Bty.
Back into
Action.
 10th October 1916 ''Minnies" and rifle grenades about.
Left W.L.
With a Div of Artillery.
 16th October 1916 Slept between sheets once more.
Arrived at
Bonnay.
 17th October 1916 At 7 pm.
Passed through
The Town of Corbie.
 17th October 1916 Which is some place.
Ordered to
Move down Somme way.
 20th October 1916 Leave on the 22nd.
8th November 1916
Got a ring from the major this afternoon and he passed on the following message:
From OC Basket to OC 'Blow' WB15 From General Willis.
Thanking the artillery Liaison Officers for the good work done yesterday.
Please convey congratulations to Lieuts. Hogan, Shaw, Doughty.
R.D.Doughty: Some doings eh what. Glorious hate this evening.
 
   
   
   
Ordered to
Move to other side of Flers.
 13th November 1916 Very misty for observation work.
Received a
Major crack on the head.
 17th November 1916 Transferred back to England to recover.
Returned from
England.
 9th February 1917 Ordered to rejoin the old 9th again.
Reported to
Bty via Ginchy.
 10th March 1917 Bitterly cold. Snow and ice everywhere.
Rode into
Albert.
 11th March 1917 Visited the Officers Club for afternoon tea.
16th March 1917
 Better day today. Very heavy bombardment on both left, right and centre. Final entry in Ralph's diary five.
End of Diary Five
Dated the
 16th March 1917  
Outcome for Ralph
 Here ends the last known diary of Lt Ralph. D. Doughty. M.C.
  WIA (second occasion) 23rd July 1917 (shrapnel wound to the abdomen).
  Died of wounds 25th July 1917.
His duty done.
Rest in Peace.
   
   
Epilogue
 Update on the final outcome of Ralph's death - with information that was supplied on the 13 November 2011
  from the memoir of: LIEUTENANT KEN. S. KINGSMILL - 13 July 1917