3437 Able Seaman William Ernest McDougall, 1918-13/7/1943.

William McDougall was killed in action on July 13, 1943 and buried in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery on August 8th.  He served on the cruiser HMS Leander and was killed in the Battle of Koolombangara, an engagement between US Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy forces and those of the Japanese Empire.  The Japanese forces were part of the "Tokyo Express" - an ongoing attempt by the Japanese to supply and reinforce their troops on the island of Guadalcanal.

Allied forces had the advantage of numbers and radar - though the Japanese could detect it.  The Japanese had the advantage of the best torpedoes in the world.  The Leander was hit by one in an engine room and 26 sailors were listed as killed or missing.  

William was one of the crew whose remains, after the Leander arrived with temporary repairs at Devonport in New Zealand, were recovered by volunteers who entered the wrecked engine room.  He was identified by the discs he wore and many other crewmen were buried in a mass grave.  The effects of 500kg of high explosive, detonated in a confined space, can be imagined when it comes to the scene which greeted the Devonport volunteers who made their way into the Leander.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE

McDOUGALL. — On July 15, 1943 (at sea), N.Z. 3437 Able Seaman William Ernest McDougall, R.N.Z.N., dearly loved brother of Mrs L. B. Flanagan, 570 Cumberland street, and Thelma (Hamilton); aged 25 years. Deeply mourned. Dunedin. Funeral intimation later. — Hope and Kinaston, funeral directors.  -Otago Daily Times, 5/8/1943.

FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE

McDOUGALL. — On July 15, 1943 (at sea), N.Z.3437 Able Seaman William Ernest McDougall, R.N.Z.N., dearly loved brother of Mrs L. B. Flanagan, 570 Cumberland street, and Thelma (Hamilton), and grandson of the late Mr and, Mrs Allan McDougall, of Beta street, Roslyn; aged 25 years. Deeply mourned. — The Funeral will leave our Chapel, 78 St. Andrew street, on Monday, the 9th inst., at 2 p.m. (service at 1.45 p.m.), for the Northern Cemetery. — Hope and Kinaston, funeral directors.  -Otago Daily Times, 7/8/1943.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.