DUGGINS Norman William

Native of Staple Hill, Bromsgrove.

The following information has been researched by Jeff Taylor:
Private Duggins Death from Wounds
News has been received of the death from wounds of Private Norman Duggins, 4th Worcestershire Regiment. Private Duggins embarked for the Dardanelles on the 20th March 1915 and had been wounded previously, on the 3rd June, in the head, thigh and shin. In a letter to his parents, Mr and Mrs W. Duggins, of Linthurst, Private Duggins wrote: “I am in hospital in Malta, don’t worry, I am going on fine.” The fatal wound being received on the 6th August, and from which he died the following day. A brother, Private S.J. Duggins, is fighting in Flanders.

December 1915
Memorial Service at Blackwell
A memorial service was held at the Wesleyan Church, Blackwell, on Sunday, on behalf of those who had fallen in the war. As reported last week, Private S.J. Duggins, the second of two sons of Mr and Mrs W. Duggins was killed in action in France on the 19th November, making the fourth serviceman from Blackwell who had fallen. A special form of service appointed by the Wesleyan Methodist Conference was used, the preacher being the Rev. R. E. Overton. The parents and two brothers of the late Private Duggins were present at the ceremony, and much sympathy was felt for them by all present.

A long list of names was then read out, followed by the words, “From this congregation these have gone forth to the war”, and then the words, “Some of these have fallen”, ALBERT HALL, NORMAN DUGGINS, DONALD EWEN, and JOHN DUGGINS.

A short address was given, a very appropriate text being chosen, viz., “Greater love hath no man than this, that a may lay down his life for his friends”. The Rev. H. E. Overton spoke briefly of the large number who had given freely for our sakes and laid down their lives for their land. “Love makes martyrs”, he said, “and by their death they point to love’s greater sacrifice”. The organist, Mr A. T. Hookway, played “The Dead March” in Saul, at the conclusion of the service.