Dorchester Illustration no. 2369 William Edward Doucette
At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of WWI Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.
Our next biography features: William Edward Doucette and was compiled at the request of John Lyons of the Port Norfolk Civic Association.
William Edward Doucette was born on the 23rd of February 1895 at 61 Market Street, Boston, to Victor Doucette, a laborer, and Catherine E. Morrison, both born in New Brunswick. By 1900, the family was living at 90 Taylor Street in the Port Norfolk section of Dorchester.
He had two older sisters, Theresa B. born 1889 and Mary born 1893, an older brother John B. born 1892 and a younger brother Joseph born 1902.
The 1910 census showed the family living at 2 Walnut Park, with Victor’s parents. The father was living there with his wife, their daughter Mary, extended family and 1 boarder. Victor was a chipper in the ship-yard. William Edward was not listed.
On June 2, 1917, William registered for the draft at Boston. He was 22 years old and living with his family at 7 Tolman Street, a 3-decker in the Neponset section of Dorchester and working as a rivet heater for Harlan & Hollingsworth, Wilmington, Delaware, a company which produced railroad cars and iron ships. He was described as short with medium build, with brown eyes and dark hair.
He was inducted into the service at Boston on 22 September 1917 as a Private. He served with Company H, 301 Infantry from September 23, 1917, to March 19, 1918; Btry D 304 FA to April 10, 1918; and overseas as of April 13, 1918, with Company C 306 Machine Gun Battalion. He achieved Private 1st Class rank on July 25, 1918. He was engaged in the offensive at Oise-Aisne where he was sadly killed in action on August 22, 1918. He had previously fought in the defensive sectors at Baccarat (Lorraine) and Vesle (Champagne).
The following notices were found in the Boston Post, September 30, 1918:
“Killed in action, Pt. William E. Doucette, 7 Tolman St., Dorchester, 306 MG Co.” Private William E. Doucette: “Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Doucette of the death of their son, Private William E. Doucette, who was killed in action. Private Doucette was 24 years old and enlisted in 1917. He sailed for France last April and after his regiment arrived in France, he became a member of the 306th Machine Gun Company.”
He was survived by his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
In the 1920 census, the parents were living alone at 7 Tolman Street. Victor was a riveter at the shipyard. Many others in the area worked in the shipyard, probably Lawley’s of Port Norfolk.
On September 20, 1920, a Hero Square was named in William Edward Doucette’s honor at the corner of Redfield and Walnut Street in the Port Norfolk section of Dorchester.
Do you know more about William Edward Doucette or have a picture? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or you think a piece of the story is missing!
REFERENCES:
Birth Records, FamilySearch.org
Census Records, Federal, 1900, FamilySearch.org
Census Records, Federal, 1910, 1920, Ancestry.com
Death Record, Vital Statistics, Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester
Death notice, Boston Post
Draft registration card, FamilySearch.org
Hero Square record, City Archives
Service Record; The Adjutant General Office, Archives-Museum Branch, Concord, MA