Thomas Doggrell

Story:
Thomas Doggrell was born in 1897 in Henstridge, Somerset, and baptised there on 14th March, 1897. He was the son of Thomas Doggrell, a Farmer, and Sarah Ann Doggrell (née Burt). At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, was a Worker on a Farm and living at East End Farm, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Motcombe, Dorset, and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry (Service No. 230084). He was posted to Egypt on 23 Apr 1915 and was in action in Gallipoli and Palestine, latterly with the 6th Mounted Brigade and, at the time of his death, held the rank of Sergeant. According to reports he was left wounded on the battlefield near Beitunia, Palestine, possibly being taken prisoner by the Turkish Forces. His death in captivity is recorded officially as 13th April, 1918 but his family refused to accept this and always maintained it was 2nd April, 1918. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. His name appears on the Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem (Panel 3). He is also remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.

During the war Thomas' sister, Selina Elizabeth Doggrell (b.1894), served as a VAD Nurse with the Red Cross at the War Hospital in Tisbury, Wiltshire.