James Herbert Dougherty was born on 18 March 1902 in Charlton, London, the son of James Edward Dougherty (1859-1933) and Amy Ellen Dougherty née Dancer (1858-1921). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1902 in the Woolwich Registration District, London. His father was a Clerk and they lived at 281 Woolwich Road, Charlton.
On 11 August 1917 he enlisted as Boy Class 2 in the Royal Navy, service number C/J77759, giving his occupation as a draper's boy and was initially posted to HMS Ganges. On 18 March 1920, his 18th birthday, he signed on for 12 years service and was rated as a Telegraphist.
Electoral registers in 1932 show him listed at 54 Cathles Road, Balham, London, and in 1934 and 1935 he was listed with his wife, Florence Amy Dougherty, at 47 Ribblesdale Road, Streatham, London. Having finished his 12 years service in 1934 he was transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve, later receiving the Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In October 1934 he was appointed as a Postman in the London Postal Service and in October 1935 was promoted to Sorter in the Western District Office. Electoral registers in 1937 and 1939 show him and his wife listed at 4 Hampton Rise, Kenton, Wembley, Middlesex (now Harrow, Greater London).
On the outbreak of World War Two he rejoined the Royal Navy and served on H.M.S Auricula, a Flower Class Corvette as a Leading Telegraphist.
He died, aged 39 years, on 17 May 1941 at Mearnskirk Hospital, Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, suffering from lobar pneumonia, emphysema and peritonitis. On 22 May 1941 he was buried in Section 2, Row 6, Grave 29 in the Durrington Cemetery, Findon Road, Worthing, West Sussex. Probate records confirm that his address had been Stapleford, Findon Road, Worthing and that when administration of his estate was granted on 18 August 1941 to his widow and sole executrix his effects totalled £1040. On 3 September 1941 she was also sent his Royal Mail Pension of £203-12s-9d followed by a bonus payment of £6-11s-3d on 22 December 1944.
He is shown as 'DOUGHERTY J.H.' on the Western Postal District war memorial in Mount Pleasant, London, WC1. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and on page 72 of the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance's Book of Remembrance 1939-1949.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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