Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William's parents were Charles and Jane Snodgrass Duguid but they did not live at Magill ,Adelaide, South Australia.His parents always lived in Scotland.

His brother Dr.Charles Duguid a surgeon on Nth Terrace Adelaide  and his wife Phyllis lived at Magill 

William was the youngest of 7 children.

I quote from his brother Charles book "Doctor and The Aborigines" - Charles was working at El Arish Egypt in the medical hospitals and had travelled to Sheikh Zowaig to meet again his brother William and they spent a day and night together.On the 22nd April Charles learned William had died on 19th April 1917 following a very fierce desert battle.

Bill Kane of Minyip, one of my brother's squadron, told me, "Ï've never seen Scotty cheerier than on the morning of the fight. I'm detailed despatch rider to Colonel Bill, he told me. I've got to pick one of the best horses.You'd better give me yours." While he was saddling up, he said:'This is going to be a hot job, but we've got to see it through.'

He jumped into the saddle then,said 'Cheerio,'and left the squadron to join the Colonel."

He rode as despatch rider for Colonel Mayger from 2am to 9am on 19 April, and he could see the 8th Light Horse were having a bad time.At 9am he was told that he would not be needed as despatch rider any longer and asked permission to join his regiment, but was told "your job is finished." Later he said he felt that he must join his mates,the Colonel was unable to dissuade him and he went into the battle. He never reached the 8th Light Horse, but was shot in the thigh while still among men of another unit. They dressed his wound, but he was left behind when they were forced to retire. That night, Jack Foreman of Adelaide crept out to find him. He was in a bad way, and told Jack that a Turkish soldier had robbed him and would have left him but a German officer ordered the Turk to bayonet him. Jack could not get him back to our lines, and William died in No Man's Land.

The Lieutenant - Colonel of Willie's regiment wrote to me ( Charles) and said: "The Brigadier of this Brigade ( Brigadier Royston ) is over 60 yrs of age, and a splendid type of man. He has been soldiering since 16 yrs of age and has been in every fight since South Africa. He stated that the battle on the 19th was the fiercest he had ever experienced, and on such a day your brother did his duty to the end. "The whole Regiment knew that Willie had "gone the second mile" after finishing his duty as despatch rider.

8th Australian Light Horse

He was 21years and 8 months old,  and the son of Charles and Jane Snodgrass Duguid, of "Ailsa Craig," Magill, South Australia.His father lived at one time at 68 Caledonia Road, Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Age on arrival in Australia (1913) -17.10months

He was an agricultural student at Nhill Victoria.

Address-c/o G Young, Nhill, Victoria
Age at embarkation 19
Previous military service-19th Light Horse
Enlistment date-15 September 1914.

Rank on enlistment-Private
Unit name-8th Light Horse Regiment, C Squadron
AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/13/1

Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A16 Star of Victoria on 25 February 1915
Rank from Nominal Roll -Trooper

 The Chaplain wrote - He displayed much courage and fortitude, and his loss is keenly felt inthe whole regiment, with wholm he as a general favourite.  The Colonel (Lieut-Col. Maygar, VC) wishes me to add his sympathy with you.  He feels your son's loss keenly, because he bore an exemplary character, and one who could ever be relied upon, and had been right through with the regiment

He is remembered on the Saltcoats war memorial