Charles John DOIG. M.C. – The Harrower Collection

36th BATTALION 33rd BATTALION A.I.F.

Captain: Charles John DOIG. M.C.

Born: 25th March 1887. North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Died: 1st October 1918. Killed in Action Hindenberg Line.

Father: Alexander Evans Doig.

Mother: Agnes Eadie Doig. nee: Torrance. (1854-1928) died at Chatswood, N.S.W. Death Cert:7590/1928.

INFORMATIONCharles John Doig enlisted on the 15th of November 1915 and was transferred to D Company, 36th Battalion AIF with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and left Sydney on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on the 13th of May 1916.

11th March 1919

Informant; Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD Commanding Officer 33rd Battalion Headquarters. This Officer was in charge of D Company, 33rd Battalion, and on 1-10-1918 after crossing the HINDENBERG LINE near BRAY and prior to making and advance on LE CHATELET, he was sitting in a shell hole explaining the proposed operation when a enemy 6" shell fell close by and a fragment struck him in the head. Death was instantaneous. He was buried by Chaplain: BURKITT of this Battalion, the C.O. Adjutant, and other Officers attending the funeral. a suitable cross was erected by us. He was buried at WIANCCURT.

A.I.F. Headquarters 13-3-18.

17th March 1919

Informant: Private: 3400 Cecil Ernest WALSH B Company 33rd Battalion AIF. On the 1/10/1918 the Battalion was through the HINDENBURG LINE, advancing on BEAUREVOIR. About 4:00 pm before they reached the village the Huns opened up a "Whiz-bang" and machine gun barrage on them and Captain: Charles John DOIG. M.C was killed outright by a "Whiz-bang" while he was in reserves for the moment. Informant further ahead and was wounded and while being carried out he passed the Captain lying dead on the roadside. One of Informant's Strecher bearers named Jim Finlay pointed the Captain out to him. Informant came straight away to England, but was later told that BEAUREVOIR was captured after darkness set in. According to Informant Captain DOIG was a well liked Officer.

"Horton" Penkivil Street, Willoughby, N.S.W.

24th May 1919.

Informant; Lance Corporal: 1410 Lindsay IRVING 33rd Battalion, Transport Section. During the afternoon of October 1st 1918. Captain: Charles John DOIG was hit by a shell on the head, killing him instantly at BONEY in the front of the HINDENBURG LINE. He would be buried on the field near where he fell. This information was obtained by hearing the men's statements at the unit. I think Lieutenant Colonel: Leslie James MORSHEAD 33rd Battalion, who was at Tidworth and was in the stunt may be able to give more information.

Ward 5, 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital.

25th April 1919.

Informant; Private: 2938 Francis James LLOYD D Company 33rd Battalion AIF states that they both belonged to D Company of which Captain: Charles John DOIG. MC was the Commanding Officer. On 1/10/18 the Battalion was in action at BONNEY on the HINDENBURG LINE. They hopped over at 3:00 pm and an hour later the Captain was killed outright by a shell fragment while taking cover under a bank, he was hit in the head. Informant was about 3 yards away and saw the Captain Killed. He was buried near BONNEY, but Informant was not present but was given the details by one of his mate Private: 3420 William Albert KAYLOCK who helped bury the Captain. According to informant Captain DOIG was a very popular Officer indeed.

Victoria Barracks, Sydney.

3rd May 1916

Informant: Private: 2553 William DEVLIN 33rd Battalion AIF. Informant states that they both belonged to D Company, of which Captain: Charles John DOIG was Commanding Officer. On the 1st October 1918 the Battalion was in action on the Hindenberg Line. About half and hour before the hop over, which took place at 5:00 am, the Captain was killed outright by a shell while kneeling down in the act of taking cover from the heavy bombardment. Informant was about 5 yards away, and saw the Captain fall, in fact was wounded by the same shell. When informant was taken away the Captain had not been moved. Informant added that the Captain was and exceedingly well liked officer, being one of the best O.C's the Battalion had, and all the boys thought the world of him.

Victoria Barracks, Sydney, N.S.W.

Family InformationCharles was a 28 year old single Commercial Traveller from 29 East Crescent, McMahons Point, N.S.W upon enlistment. Charles served with the rank of Captain with N.S.W. Scottish Rifles prior to WW1. Charles was educated at Sydney Grammar School. His Parents Alexander and Agnes Doig had at least 3 children. Charles John Doig was born in 1887 but no record of his birth is registered in N.S.W. although he stated on his enlistment papers that he was born in South Sydney, N.S.W and died in 1918 during WW1. Alisa Doig born 1888 at St-Leonards, N.S.W. Birth Cert:13478/1888. Allan Torrance Doig born 1896 at St-Leonards, N.S.W. Birth Cert:34483/1896 and died in 1918 during WW1. His brother Allan enlisted with the 17th Battalion.

Lieutenant: Allan Torrance DOIG. M.C. served with the 17th Battalion and Died of Wounds on the 27th of June 1918 as a Prisoner of War.

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