221100 Pte. Douglas Bateman Spurr British Army 1/4th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from:Hitchin (d.10th March 1915) Douglas Spurr was born on the 2nd March 1896. Douglas was the youngest of 4 brothers who answered their country's call without hesitation. He was educated at Hitchin Grammar School and on leaving school he became an auctioneer with Messers George Jackson of Hitchin. It should be noted that he was the first ex Grammar School boy to be killed during the Great War.
By the 19th September 1914 Douglas had already enlisted at Hitchin to become Private No 2116 in the 1/4th Battalion which was in the 24th Brigade of the 8th Division of IV Corps in the 1st Army. He was initially billeted at Bedford before going to France arriving on the 19th February 1915 with the rest of his battalion.
The action which led to his death occurred at the battle of Neuve Chapelle when an attack by the 23rd and 25th Brigades captured the village by 11.00am on the 10th March 1915. At 1.00pm that day the 24th Brigade was ordered to advance towards Aubers and sustained repeated and very strong counter - attacks from the Germans causing very heavy casualties. During this action Douglas was killed by an exploding shell. The British casualties for the day was over 12,000 men.
He has no known grave but is remembered on Panels 41/42 of the Le Touret Memorial to the Missing in France.
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