Douglas's Story.
The Northwich Guardian, 12th May 1916, on the death of Gerald Leighton Houghton, part of the article is based on a letter from a comrade;
COMRADE’S LETTER
A school chum, Lance Corporal Douglas Eachus son of Mr. and Mrs C. T. Eachus of the Crescent was with Private Houghton in the Machine-gun section and from him Mrs Houghton has received the following letter:- “It is with the deepest regret I have to inform you that Gerald met his death during a heavy bombardment of our trenches on the evening of the 3rd. A shell burst very near to him and he died immediately from the concussion. He was not disfigured in any way and it was hard for us not to believe that he was only unconscious but no; we had lost one of our best and bravest men. He was buried with full military honours in a village just behind the lines at 1pm on the 4th. The service was attended by six of his best friends also the captain and the colonel. All who knew him join with me in expressing our deepest sympathy with you and Elsie (Miss Houghton) in your great loss.”
Just out of interest I decided to see if this Douglas Eachus, with his unique name, had made it through the War to find he had only lasted another 2 months, being killed on the 1st July 1916.
C.W.G.C. remember a Douglas Eachus, L/Cpl., No 6373, with “A” Coy. 16th Bn. Manchester Regiment on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 13A and 14C France.) Son of Christopher Thomas and Amy Eachus of 12 The Crescent Northwich, Cheshire.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for a Douglas E. Eachus of the Manchester Regiment, No 6373 Pte. Awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory medals. T.o.W. (1) France and D.o.E. 8/11/15. Written on the card is K.i.A. 1/7/16.
Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Douglas Eachus in 1895 in Northwich.
Northwich Guardian 11th July 1916. LOCAL MEN KILLED. MISSING AND WOUNDED.
The Manchester “Pals” in which there are about 100 Northwich soldiers, played an important part in the British advances on July 1st and there have been numerous casualties. All fought with gallantry that has won general admiration and the magnificent work done by the Manchester Battalions is referred to in the highest terms by the military authorities. Unfortunately many of these brave fellows have made the great sacrifice and the list of killed, in both officers and men is heavy. Mr. C .T. Eachus, gentlemans outfitter, of the High Street, received news on Saturday that his second son, Lance-Corporal Douglas Eachus had been killed in action. A letter from Quartermaster Sergeant Parker, whose home is at Winnington, stated that Lance-Corporal Eachus was killed in the advance, being shot through the head. Eachus, who was on the clerical staff of Brunner Mond and Co., was only 18 when he joined the Colours and he recently celebrated his 20th birthday in the trenches. He was an old Wittonian and a prominent member of the Rowing Club. His brother, Lieutenant Norman Eachus is with the forces in Salonika.
The second part of the article mentions the following men; Reginald Lambert, Private Middleton, Private Frank Hobson missing, wounded are Corporal H. Boothman, Private Hesketh and Private Gregory all three have been moved to a military hospital in England.
Northwich Guardian 14th July 1916. “PALS” ROLL OF HONOUR. TRADERS SON SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD.
News was received on Saturday that the fallen heroes amongst the “Pals” included Lance-Corporal Douglas Eachus, son of Mr. C. T. Eachus, gents outfitter, of High Street, Northwich whose private residence is The Crescent. The first intimation was a letter sent by Quartermaster Sergeant Parker to his parents of Winnington asking them to acquaint Mr. and Mrs Eachus with the fact that their son had been killed. Later they had a letter themselves from Quartermaster Sergeant Parker, dated July 4th, in which he wrote:- It is with deep regret I write to tell you of the death of Douglas. He was killed on July 1st during the advance of his battalion and so far as I can get to know, his death was instantaneous through a bullet wound in the head. When I first heard I could hardly realised it, as I had been with him the night which they went to the trenches. We had spent a pleasant hour together and had been recalling past experiences. He was quite cheerful and in the best of spirits. I shall feel his loss very much, as he was one of my best friends and a friend to be proud of. He had many friends in the battalion and they all will feel his loss very much. Douglas gave me his badges and also the badges of his late friend, Gerald Houghton, the night before the action took place and I promised to send them to you if anything happened to him. I tender you my deepest sympathy in your great loss. You have one great consolation in that he gave up his life willingly for his country in the midst of Victory.”
A Manchester young man, Private Charles A Whitley with whom Douglas had become very friendly since joining the “Pals” writing to Mr. and Mrs Eachus states:- “It is with deep regret I have to tell you that Douglas, your son, and our dear friend, has been killed in action. He was along with the boys when he fell and was killed instantly. I am requested by his comrades in A Company to send you their deepest sympathy in your great loss.”
Lance/Corporal Eachus was the second son of Mr. and Mrs Eachus. He was an old Wittonian and when at school he took an interest in various forms of sport but principle rowing, acting as stroke in the Grammar School crew. He was also a member of the Northwich Rowing Club. On leaving school he obtained a position on the clerical staff of Messrs Brunner Mond and Co. He joined the Army in August 1914. He was only 18 when he enlisted. Soon after gong on active service he was promoted to lance-corporal. He was attached to the machine-gun section and officers and men alike speak of him as an ideal soldier. His elder brother Lieutenant Norman Eachus who in the early stages of the war joined the Old School Boys Battalion, is now in another theatre of war with the Cheshires.
The Brunner Mond and Co Roll of Honour Booklet records a Douglas Eachus, L/Corpl, with the 16th Bn Manchester Regiment, Killed in Action
Research Bob H.