DUGGINS Sidney John

The birth of Sydney John Duggins is registered in the March Quarter 1898 under the Bromsgrove Registration District.

Appears on the 1901 Census as Sidney Duggins, the 1911 census as John Duggins, Commonwealth War Graves Commission as Sidney John Duggins and Soldiers Died in the Great War as John Duggins.

The following information has been researched by Jeff Taylor:
Blackwell Family Lose a Second Son
“Private John Duggins, “A” Company, 1st Worcestershire Regiment, who enlisted on the 4th September 1914, was killed whilst on guard duty on the 21st November 1915. Private Duggins had been serving in France since March 1915 and had he lived another week would have celebrated his 18th birthday. The deceased, who was an Organ Blower at the Wesleyan Church, Blackwell, a position held by six brothers consecutively, was much respected in the district.”

During the period 16th November to 6th December 1915, the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment were holding the trenches south of Bois Grenier.

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.