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I've been on amazon and ordered the book. I'm now waiting with bated breath till it comes :D

That looks like a different age given for John

from Margaret's last post

"15 February 1916 Twenty-year-old Black Watch private John Docherty"

The book that is mentioned, "Blindfold & Alone" is available through Abebooks.com.

Thomas Docherty is not part of my family. Luckily, all my Thomas Docherty's are accounted for. How horrible to have two family members executed. Ouch! :D

Oh, and conflicting information as to 'first kitchener executed' :

'In the same cemetery block lies the body of Joseph Byers, the first Kitchener volunteer to be executed.'

Thank you Margaret. This is the John I am talking about. Do you know if the documents held in kew would give additional information as to John Docherty, to make it easier for me to comfirm or deny him as my relative?

15 February 1916 Twenty-year-old Black Watch private John Docherty was executed on the Western front for desertion; he was the first Kitchener volunteer put to death

Pte John Docherty, age 20, 9th Black Watch sentenced to death 30th December 1915 for desertion + (more than once) commuted to 5years penal servitude 29th January 1915. He had , however, deserted again before hearing this.
John Docherty 9th Black Watch sentenced to death 3rd February 1916 for desertion , second offence including disobedience.
Sentence confirmed 13th February, carried out 7.11am 15th February 1916, France & Flanders.
Pages 342 & 343 of ' Blindfold and Alone' gives details. He seems to have been suffering from '... a marked degree of neurasthenia ' following Loos where the 9th BW lost 252 men.
NA (PRO) note WO213/7.
NA (PRO) WO71/444 also pertains to this case.
One of the eleven men executed in the abbatoir at Mazingarbe.
He is buried at Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery.

The men set to be pardoned after 80 years of being branded cowards and a disgrace to their country.



PRIVATE JOHN DOCHERTY, 27, 9/Black Watch, deserted a year after enlisting but caught after just one day. Shot 12.2.1916.

And another Docherty:

PRIVATE THOMAS DOCHERTY, 20, King's Own Scottish BorderersThe King's Own Scottish Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division. It was raised in 1689 by the Earl of Leven. It was once known as Semphill's Regiment of Foot, the name under which it fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
..... Click the link for more information., deserted at Ypres Salient. Shot 16.7.1915.

Oh, I would just like to add that the other two Johns you posted, I had already discounted due to detail on CWGC.

It does appear to be him, although, this is only coming from process of elimination. I don't want to say 'Yes, that's my John' without all possible evidence I can get.

yes, thats them.

I thought that as well (about his wife not being mentioned), but, if he was infact discharged once, and re-enlisted, he may have lied about being married the second time? Just a thought.

Just a thought - your John's widow re-married? The death you have posted looks like that John was sigle as only his parents are mentioned in "additional information". You would normally expect his widow to be named there too.


1901 Census - Is this your family please?

Name: John Docherty
Age: 13
Estimated birth year: abt 1888
Relationship: Son
Father's Name: Thomas
Mother's Name: Margaret
Gender: Male
Where born: Edinburgh, St Giles
Registration Number: 685/4
Registration district: St Giles
Civil parish: Edinburgh Old Greyfriars
County: Midlothian
Address: 141 Cowgate
Occupation: Message Boy
ED: 26
Household schedule number: 2
Line: 5
Roll: CSSCT1901_383
Household Members: Name Age
Thomas Docherty 35 b. Edinburgh, Mason's Labourer
Margaret Docherty 23 b. Edinburgh
Peter Docherty 15
John Docherty 13
Sarah Docherty 12
Anthony Docherty 8
Andrew Docherty 6
Mary J Docherty 4
Joseph Docherty 2
Thomas Docherty 6 mos

Source Citation: Parish: Edinburgh Old Greyfriars; ED: 26; Page: 1; Line: 2; Roll CSSCT1901_383; Year: 1901.

I have John's birth certificate. he was born 1st aug 1887.
I found some service records for a John Docherty, stated as being born 1st aug 1888, although he was discharged for not passing his vision test. I assume he then re-enlisted?

His parents married in 1885, Edinburgh.

So you don't have John's birth certificate ?

When were his parents married please?

I understand that, and have been trying in vain. without service records, it is extremely hard :)

I have checked on ancestry and scotlandspeople for any other John Dochertys that was born in the same period, with the parents Thomas and Margaret, and have found none so far, although I have only been searching in Edinburgh, when, of course, he may have been born in another part of scotland. His parents living in Edinburgh is not conclusive evidence that he was born there.
I believe that there are court martial papers relating to his case. Would these documents provide further information as to his identity?

Ancestry has this one too.

Name: John Docherty
Birth Place: Edinburgh
Death Date: 25 Sep 1915
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Edinburgh
Rank: Private
Regiment: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Battalion: 2nd Battalion
Number: 2142
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre
Comments: Formerly 1417, 3Rd Royal Scots



Name: John Docherty
Birth Place: Edinburgh, Midlothian
Residence: Edinburgh
Death Date: 27 Sep 1915
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Glencorse, Midlothian
Rank: Private
Regiment: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Number: 9483
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre
Comments: Formerly 11214, R. Scots

You would need to find the evidence to prove the facts but it would seem as though you have the right person

I would just like to add that my John docherty married in 1911 and his wife was re-married by 1919, stated as widowed. :)

I am trying to establish if this was my 2xgreat Uncle. Information as follows :-

Name: DOCHERTY, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 15/02/1916
Service No: S/9672
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Margaret Docherty of 9 Brown Square, Edinburgh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3.
Cemetery: MAZINGARBE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Said private was executed for desertion. My 2xgreat uncle fits his discription, although I cannot find any service records for this man. My John Docherty's parents where Thomas and margaret, and althouhg I have them living at a different address, Johns brohter was living at 9 Browns sqare, when he married in 1922. Would you say it was conclusive to say this was infact my relative?

Thank you :)