2.3.7.5. Hugh McDougall (1896-1978)

Hugh McDougall was born on 13 April 1896 at 25 Aitkenhead Road in the Hutchesontown district of Glasgow to Alexander and Margaret (Ritchie) McDougall. His father was an iron molder, who worked in a foundry and poured molten iron from the furnace into molds. I have been unable to find the family in the 1901 census.

By 1911 they lived at 14 Second Terrace in the town of Clydebank. Hugh had finished his schooling and worked at the large Singer sewing machine factory polishing needles. His father and older sister also worked at the factory.

Singer Sewing Machine Factory, Clydebank; photograph courtesy of
Britain from Above

On 11 September 1914, five weeks after Britain declared war on Germany, Hugh went to the Army recruiting station in Whiteinch, Glasgow, and enlisted. He reported for duty on 3 October at Fort George in Inverness. His physical description was 5 feet 4-1/2 inches tall and 94 pounds with no distinguishing marks or features.

He was assigned to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, upon enlistment and was transferred to the 7th (Service) Battalion on 3 January 1915. He likely moved with his new battalion to Aldershot and went into barracks in Alton. A month later he was discharged as not likely to become an efficient soldier. His application for discharge stated he suffered from chronic rheumatism, not due to military service, and he had been off duty for six weeks and rarely able to attend parades before that. He served in the Army 146 days.

On 19 November 1915 he married Robina Smith Riddell at his parent's home on 67 Crown Avenue in Radner Park according to the forms of the Congregational Church. He was 19 years old, lived at home with his parents, and worked as an apprentice welder. Curiously, the marriage registration also stated that he was presently a private in the 3/9 Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. However, no military records have been found for this period of service, which is not unusual because a large number of British Army personnel records were lost in 1940 during a German air raid on the War Ministry.

The 3/9th Battalion was formed in April 1915. In 1916 it was renamed the Reserved Battalions at Ripon. They moved to Galashiels in May 1918 where they became part of the Forth Garrison.

It is not known if Hugh and Robina (Riddell) McDougall had children. Robina died in 1972 and Hugh likely died in 1978 in Glasgow.

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"Singer Sewing Machine Factory, Clydebank," Britain from Above
1911 Scotland Census, 02/04/1911 McDougal, Hugh (Census 1911 501/00 044/00 018)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1896 McDougall, Hugh (Statutory Births 644/11 0970)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations, 1855-2013, 1915 McDougall, Hugh - Riddell, Robertina Smith (Statutory Marriages 501/00 0266)
Scotland, Statutory Registrations Index, 1855-2013, 1978 McDougall, Hugh (613/00 0850)
UK, National Archives, Attestation of Hugh McDougall, Service No. 4557, Seaforth Highlanders
UK, National Archives, Statement of Services of Hugh McDougall, Service No. 4557, Seaforth Highlanders (2 pages)
UK, National Archives, Description of Hugh McDougall on Enlistment
UK, National Archives, Application for Discharge of a Recruit, Hugh McDougall