PTE. B. DUCAT

7th Battalion - King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Bruce Ducat, born in 1898, was the son of George Ducat, an iron turner, and Mary Jane Ducat. He had a younger sister Margaret, born in 1900. In the 1901 Census his family's address was recorded as 46 Hilltown, Dundee, Scotland. 

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In the "Evening Telegraph and Post" on 26th Februrary 1915, Ducat is named as a former member of the Dundee Boys' Brigade who have given their services to the crown. He is listed as the only soldier to have enlisted into the King's Shropshire Light Infantry under the rank of Private in the 6th Company. Ducat enlisted in Blackburn, Lancashire. 

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Ducat landed in France on 28th September 1915. On the 17th of June 1916, Ducat died of his wounds, suffering a gun shot wound to the head. He was 18 years old. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium - VIII. A. 35. alongside 10,122 others. 

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Ducat is remembered in several locations - in his hometown, the Lochee Boy's Brigade Memorial located in Lochee Parish Church in Dundee as well as Meadowside St. Paul's Church's Book of Remembrance. Two further memorial's bearing his name have since been lost - Albert Square United Free Church, Dundee and St. George's Church, Blackburn. 

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His obituary, picture above, states that he was expected home on leave the same week of his death. He had a brother and two Uncles also fighting in France. Ducat was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal. 

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