Military History

Theatre

Action/Battle/Other

The Senussi Campaign

Place of Death

Umm al-Rakham

 

Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

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Enlisted Date/Place

October 1914 at Warwick

Other Information/Previous Regiments/Units

• Arrived in Egypt on 20 Apr 1915
• Other service number 310595 Corps of Hussars

Circumstances Leading to Death - Courtesy of The Middle East Institute

The Senussi Campaign was an allied effort to support to defeat the Ottoman/Senussi army that had invaded Egypt from Libya between 11th Decemeber 1915 and 26th February 1916, it was commanded by Lt.Col. J.L.R. Gordon and . The first battle of the campaign occured between 11th and 13th December in the area of Wadi Senab and Umm al-Rakham. Alberts unit and other Yeomanry were sent to patrol in the direction of Samaket al-Medwa along the Khedivial Motor Road. They left at 7:00 AM on December 11. Their scouts were not sufficiently far ahead of the main force to spot danger and the cavalrymen rode into an ambush from several hundred Senussi around Wadi Senab. The Senussi, armed and trained by the Turks, poured heavy fire on the yeomanry, and a British attempt to turn the enemy's right with help from the armored cars failed. Lt. Col Gordon, could hear the firing but decided he was too far away to help and assumed the cavalry would be relieved from Mersa Matruh.

This finally happened in the afternoon, when Squadron A of the Composite Light Horse, which had only just arrived in Matruh, arrived on the scene. This finally turned the tide and the Senussis withdrew. The British suffered 16 dead and 17 wounded from the firefight. Of an estimated Senussi force of around 300, the British found 80 dead and took seven prisoners. Among the British dead was Lt Col. Cecil Snow, an intelligence officer. The cavalry then turned north toward the coast to rejoin Gordon, who had gone into camp at Umm al-Rakham.

In Adderley's History of Warwickshire Yeomanry he writes "on December 11th, orders were given to disperse a hostile gathering at Um Rakhum about seven miles west of Matrah but owing to the bad going the Infantry were unable to co-operate. The Mounted Troops pushed forward and came on the enemy about 600 strong at the Wadi Senaab, charged them and drove them into the Wadi but lost 16 killed and eight wounded including Sergt. Ravenhall, Pte. Doughty and Pte Marsden of the Warwickshire Yeomanry"

Full article on the campaign here. Map courtesy of Away From the Western Front

Senussi Campaign Map	Chatby Cemetery

Birth Date & Place

Baptism Date & Place

Parents

William & Elizabeth Doughty

Schools & Colleges

Wife & Marriage

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Children

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Occupations

• 1901 - School
• 1911 - Groom

Address History

• 1891 - 46 Pillars, Bishop Tachbrook
• 1901 - The Village, Bishop Tachbrook
• 1911 - Westhill Stables, Manor Road, Brackley
• 1915 - 41, Bishops Tachbrook

Other Information

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