Richard Dusgate's Story.
Richard Dusgate Merritt, was born in Birkenhead in 1899 to parents, William Daniel, a house joiner, and Emily Merritt.In 1901 Richard lived with his parents, sisters Mary and Harriet, and brother Reuben at 108, Paterson Street, Birkenhead.
By 1911 the family had moved to 19 Milton Road, Tranmere and Richard was still at school.
Between 1915 and 1917 Richard’s uncle James Merritt was Mayor of Birkenhead.
Richard enlisted in the Army on the 24th January 1917 and three months later he was posted to the Training Reserve Battalion, then in January 1918 he was transferred to the 6th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He arrived in France on the 30th March 1918 where he immediately transferred to the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI).
In October of 1918 the 15th Battalion DLI was based in Northern France near the town of Caudry. During an attack on German positions on the 23rd October 1918 Private Richard Dusgate Merritt was killed in action. He is buried in Englefontaine British Cemetery, France.
A report of Richard's death appeared in the Birkenhead News on the 14th December 1918.
Private Merritt was entitled to the British Medal and the Victory Medal.
Research, newspaper article and photograph by Chris Booth.