Douglas Scott Hardcastle
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Douglas Scott Hardcastle was born in 1886 in Worksop, his middle name being taken from his mother’s maiden name. His parents, Frederick and Henrietta Violet Hardcastle had married in Worksop in 1881. In 1891 they were living at 1 Portland Place and ten years later at 5 Sherwood Road. The couple had seven children all born in Work-sop, Janet, Donald, Douglas, Hector, Rudolf, Oswald and Phillip. By 1911, Douglas had left Worksop, and was living as a boarder at 82 Belgrave Street, Derby, the residence of Albert Booth, working as a stove grate pattern maker.
Lance-Corpl Douglas Hardcastle Worksop Guardian 10 September 1915 Mr and Mrs F Hardcastle of Sherwood Road, Worksop and family, will have the sympathy of the townspeople in general, in the bereavement which has befallen them in the death of their son Lance-Corpl Douglas Hardcastle. Their circumstances are rendered more sad, by the fact that he was killed in action in France on May 9th, though official conformation of the news only came to hand this week. About that date, the report gained current that Douglas had been badly wounded, and in a letter to a friend at Worksop, a local man then in hospital in Manchester Hospital, stated that he had seen the poor lad borne away on a stretcher. Communication with the War Office established the fact that Hardcastle had been hit, but it was stated where he was. Meanwhile a letter was received by Mr Hardcastle from Pte H Willis B Co. 1st S.F. stating that Douglas had been wounded, though not seriously and was in hospital. As no further news was received, it was thought he was a prisoner of war, but as time went by without a word being heard, “hope deferred which maketh the heart sick”, gave away to foreboding which have now been realised. The letter from the War Office states the fact that Douglas was killed in action on Mat 9th, place not stated. He is one of the many young heroes who have made the great sacrifice. It will be some consolation to his parents to know that their suspense has ended, and that he died as bravely as he lived doing his duty to the last. Lance-Corpl Hardcastle was well known in Worksop, and formerly played for Worksop Town F.C. and afterwards for Derby who paid £100 for his transfer. At the usual weekly intersession service at St John’s Church on Wednesday night, was incorporated a memorial service for Lance-Corpl Hardcastle. The Vicar, the Rev. J H Bligh, officiated. No address was delivered.
He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt And the United Methodist Church, Ebenezer Chapel (now demolished) Potter Street Worksop Memorial. This memorial is now (2015) held in the Bassetlaw Museum Grove Street Retford. Robert Ilett 14.12.15
