Duffin, Douglas Irvine

Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Douglas Irvine Duffin

was born at Ardehannon, Coleraine on 5th September 1887 the son of Edward Duffin, Gardener and Margaret Jane Duffin nee Douglas. They had married on 4th June 1884 at the Belfast Registrars Office.

In 1901 Douglas (13) was living in house 2, Ardehannon, Bushmills, Co. Antrim with his parents and 6 siblings; Eva (11), Jeannie G (9), Margaret D (6), Edward L (2), Malcolm T (4) and George (0). His father's occupation is that of a Land Steward.

Douglas would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1905/1906 and served in Bushmills branch.

Belfast Bank, Bushmills branch

The Bankers Guarantee staff ledger records Edward Duffin, Runkerry, Bushmills (Gent) as signing as guarantor. A later ledger entry records Edward Duffin (father) as residing in New Zealand. Frederick George Davin (Londonderry, Director) and Theodosia Carlton Marion Duffin (wife) are acting as Guarantors. This ledger records Douglas as serving in Londonderry and Warrenpoint branches.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheets

By 1911, Douglas was boarding with the Nicholl family in house 29, Ballymagrorty, Liberties, Lower, Co. Londonderry. Douglas is described as a Bank Clerk. His family were living in house 19, Dundooan, Ballylagan, Co. Londonderry.

Belfast Bank Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

Whilst his family moved to Christchurch, New Zealand. Douglas enlisted in Ireland into the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) with Service Number 265624.

Douglas later attained the rank of Company Quarter-Master Sergeant. He is also reported as serving with the 3/4 Kings African Rifles.

Medal Index Card - D I Duffin

Adrain58 of the Great War Forum writes:

On MIC which refers to Douglas I Duffin the MIC refers to the following Douglas I Duffin, R Highrs WO Cl I 265624, K African Rifles, CQMS. Victory & British Medal Roll G102/B23 Page 1954.  The following entry is also recorded EM/2/1447 IV 4546 E d? 30.6.20 followed by EM/2/1447 cancelled.  On the rear of the MIC the following is recorded: 6 i/c Rec’s Perth subts nom roll of indiv. ent: to the Emblem 13/5/20 N S of S Col Office submits nom Roll of indiv ent: to Emblem received from H.2. K. Af Refs 17.9.20

Meritorious Service Medal - D I Duffin

Adrain58 of the Great War Forum writes:

On MIC which refers to Douglas Irwine Duffin the MIC refers to the following: Awarded the ‘Meritorious Service Medal’ East Africa, Douglas Irvine Duffin, CQMS 265524 shown as Black Watch and K Afr Rif. On MIC K. Afr Rif is struck out in red ink and R Hdrs inserted Date of Gazette – Peace Gazette with date 3/6/19 Registered Paper 0137/5608

Adrain58 of the Great War Forum writes:

Douglas' name appears on a roll of British other ranks serving with KAR units in September 1918. His parent unit was 2nd/6th Black Watch, he joined KAR on 23 May 1917, and in September 1918 he was working in the KAR Pay Department. He would have been stationed at Mbgathi, a massive KAR Depot camp outside Nairobi.

Bush Fighter of the Great War Forum writes:

Whilst serving with the Black Watch, CQMS Douglas I Duffin was Mentioned in Dispatches (MiD).  The Forces War Record reports:

Gazette 31106 Mentioned in Despatches.  The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from Lieutenant-General Sir J.L. Van Deventer, K.C.B., C.M.G., Commanding-in-Chief, East African Force.  I desire to record my appreciation of the excellent services rendered by the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men included in the list I am forwarding with this Despatch, during the period from 1st December, 1917, to 31st July, 1918

Douglas was also awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal in addition to the Meritorious Service Medal.

Meritorious Service Medal

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Duffin as being 'previously injured' with his last known address as East Africa.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Douglas' grandson has managed to uncover a video of the Kings African Rifles [no longer available] and others in East Africa that helps to give a feel of what it must have been like back then.

Douglas was a member of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland from 1920 to his resignation in 1930. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier.

Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland - Lodge No. 52 Register

Douglas was a member of the City of Derry Golf Club. In 1922 he was their Treasurer.

In 1931 Douglas was the President of the Royal British Legion in Bushmills.

Following the abdication of King Edward VIII in December 1936, a committee under the leadership of Douglas Duffin was formed in Bushmills to organise a programme of amusements and athletics for the local children for Coronation Day (King George VI).

Douglas retired as Manager of Warrenpoint branch in 1949. He is named on the First Derry Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

Douglas Duffin of 3 Lissanduff Avenue, Portballintrae, Co. Antrim died on 4th May 1971. Probate Belfast - £4,516 in England and Wales. Sealed in London on 7th December 1971.