Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Dooley, a coal miner, born 1849 in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire and his wife Harriet Dooley (nee Fincher, married in the 4th quarter of 1868 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1849 in Derby. Thomas was born in the 1st quarter of 1883 in Rotherham, Yorkshire, his siblings were, Joseph Henry, a coal miner, born 1871 and Harry Thorn, a coal miner, born 1873, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville, Leicestershire, Esther, born 1878 and Florence, born 1881, the latter two siblings were both born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, Edith, born 1885, in Coalville, Frederick Charles, born 1887 in Derbyshire and Bertha, born 1889 in Coalville in April 1891 the family home was at Mammoth Street, Whitwick, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a coal mine labourer and was residing in the family home at 232, Ashby Road, Coalville together with his siblings, Florence, Frederick, an iron foundry labourer, Bertha, a schoolgirl and Mildred, a schoolgirl, born 1897. In April 1911 Thomas was absent from the family home at 122, Margaret Street, Coalville, residing there was his father, a coal mine charge man, his mother and siblings, Mildred, a domestic worker and Frederick a coal mine loader, also residing with the family was his married sister, Bertha Outton and her husband Arthur Outton, a photographer, born 1886 in Leeds, Yorkshire and their son Thomas Arthur Outton, born 1911 in Coalville, Thomas was serving with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India.
The War Diary records: 1 May-15 - At 4.30am the enemy commenced heavy artillery bombardment to which our artillery commenced to reply at about 4.50am. A few shells landed on A Coys parapet which was breached in 4 places, also our communication trench on the left of A Coy, 2 dugouts being demolished. C Coy and their parapet suffered no damage, only one shell landing just in front of the parapet. On the right shells landed chiefly between the front line and the salient, only one shell landed in the salient which demolished a dugout, and also about supporting trench connecting PORT ARTHUR and SNIPERS house, this trench was unoccupied. On the right shells landed in rear of front line and also about parapet of supporting trench from SNIPERS house and east of it, which was also unoccupied. On the centre many shells landed round SNIPERS house, one landing in the long communication trench. About 5.00am the enemy apparently lengthened their -?- and shell appeared to be dotted northwards along the ESTAIRS Road. No shells landed in the work where the Reserve Coy is situated, though some fell short of it. Enemy’s bombardment ceased about 5.30am. One biplane and one monoplane of the enemy were above our lines from 5.30am to 9.30am. Our artillery breached enemy’s parapet in 8 places. Our casualties were 2nd Lt H. T. Dooley and 2 men killed and 18 NCO’s and men wounded. Enemy at no time showed themselves. Remainder of day was quiet. Breaches in our parapet were repaired by 11.00am. Our snipers accounted for two German snipers. All Regiments in Reserve were standing to for 8 hours during the early morning and -?- LA COUTURE was shelled.
On Saturday June 5th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “Gallant Leicester Honoured.” – 13 D.C.M.’s IN SECOND BATTALION. – The “London Gazette” states that the King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty:- Company Sergeant Major T. DOOLEY, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, for conspicuous gallantry and marked ability near Neuve Chapelle from 10 to 13 March, 1915. He showed great resource in the able handling of his men under heavy fire, and also in strengthening the positions captured from the enemy.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday September 11th, 1914

Letter from a Coalville soldier in India - Orders for the Front.

Mr Thomas Dooley, of 123, Margaret Street, Coalville, has recently received a letter from his soldier son, Tom, well-known in Coalville, who until receiving military orders in connection with the war, was in India.

Writing from Ranikhet, on August 8th, he says, “We who are under the great Himilayas (though 6000 feet above the sea level) feel out of it at these times. We have wondered why England had not been drawn into it and discussed her responsibilities if she kept out. Last night, however, it came unofficially that England had declared war on Germany. I went round to see the telegraph man at our little post office two miles from where we live and I saw a copy of Mr Asquith’s speech, dated August 2nd, but nothing official. He said the message came from Bombay and there could be little doubt about it. We are all ready here and expect to be sent at a few hours notice to Egypt or Malta. The troops here are anxious to go to the front, they do not seem satisfied to go to Egypt. Our General has left for headquarters and we are all in high spirits regarding the move nearer to operations. We heard last night that firing had been heard off Flamborough Head (Yorkshire) and so no doubt you people in England are getting a little anxious. But you can’t be one bit more anxious or excited than we are here. The cable has been blocked for a day or more, so that we have not received any message through. The next thing we expect to hear is a conflict with the navy. How ripping! One thing is certain, and that is that Germany has bitten a piece too much this time and if England does not go in for all she is worth, then she ought to.

Monday morning, August 10th. – We have had news of 24,000 German casualties on sea, and 30,000 on land, also heavy British losses. Yesterday, the order to mobilise was given. We were all medically inspected, had our bayonets sharpened and all packed up ready and now we are waiting orders as to where we are to go.

Tuesday August 11th. – We have got some news at last. We are all packed up and ready and are simply waiting for the transport to come and take our kit. By the time you receive this I hope to be in France. All our troops are in high spirits and we hope to make an impression on the Kaiser and his troops. I don’t know after it is all over whether I shall be permitted to run across to England, being so close, anyhow I should like to see you all. We are hoping to have a ripping time and feel sure that will be a huge picnic, so Cheer Ho!

Mr T. Dooley is a sergeant in the 2nd Leicesters’. Last March he was married to the Major’s nurse maid.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 23rd, 1914:

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S WIFE IN INDIA

PROUD OF HER HUSBAND

Mr and Mrs T. Dooley, of 122, Margaret Street, Coalville, have this week received letters from their son, Tom, who is a sergeant in the Leicestershire Regiment, and also from his wife. The latter is in India where the regiment was stationed before having orders to proceed to France.

Mrs Dooley writes that Tom has gone off to the war, the regiment having left India about a month ago, and she hopes it will not be long before they are back again. She proceeds: “I really thought my heart would break when I parted from him, but, of course, mother, as a soldier’s wife, I must pray and hope for the best. You would be proud of him, mother, if you saw him. He does work so hard and the men under him simply worship him.”

The writer adds that she hears they are all to be sent to England, but she would prefer to wait for Tom so that they might come over together. She is staying at the Major’s house for a time and will send further news as she hears from her husband.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 23rd, 1914:

SERGT. DOOLEY’S OPTIMISM

In the letter written by Sergt. Dooley, he states that they have been a long time getting there, but they hoped to be “in at the kill.” He supposed they would have to make haste as he heard that Germany had been asking the United States of America to try and secure peace proposals from the Allies. He imagined, however, that they would not be of such a nature that the Kaiser could accept. The sergeant goes on: “No doubt the Germans will want some driving back to their capital from this side, but wait until we get there with these black faces – both cavalry and infantry. They are coming along, 8 boat loads in all, so you can imagine we shall increase the numbers by a few.” He finishes up by advising his mother and father to be of good cheer.

On a hurriedly written postcard received later, Sergt. Dooley says he is well, but is feeling the cold a bit. However, it was putting new life into one. He asks his friends to write regularly to his wife in India, as being left there practically alone, she will feel a little lonely.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 30th, 1915

Risen from the Ranks - Commission for a local soldier.

Many congratulations will be offered by Coalville people to Lieut. T. Dooley on having been awarded a commission in His Majesty’s Army. The gallant soldier is an old Coalville British School boy, and a son of Mr T. Dooley, of 122, Margaret Street. He joined the army, (Leicesters) 12 years ago and has spent nine years in India, being there when the war broke out. He came over with the Indian Expeditionary Force to France and has been taking part in the fighting. He was by the side of Corpl. Jack Sheffield when the latter fell at Neuve Chapelle. Only two months ago he was made Company Sergeant-Major. The news of his further promotion, announced at a meeting in Marlborough Square, Coalville, on Sunday afternoon, was enthusiastically cheered by a crowd of about two thousand people. He was married in March last and his wife is still in India.

Lieut. Dooley is every inch a soldier and has done remarkably well since adopting the army as his profession. For four years he has acted as a gymnasium instructor and he was captain of the regimental football team in India, having played for Coalville Town during the latter years of his civilian life.

His father, who is 67 years of age, had to give up work as a miner 12 months last August owing to receiving a blow in the eye while in the pit, and we regret to say that he is now nearly blind. The sight of the injured eye has completely gone and that of the other is affected. He is receiving compensation from the owners of Snibston Colliery in which, excepting a brief interval, he worked for 57 years. For 18 years he was master of the old Snibston (later Coalville Town) Brass Band being a soprano cornet player of great merit and allowing for the short interval that he was away in Yorkshire, he was in the band for 45 years. He has four sons and six daughters living and three of the former are serving in the army. In addition to the lieutenant there are Ptes. Joseph Dooley (R.A.M.C.) and Fred Dooley (Sherwood Foresters). They are both married and have wives and families living at Cresswell.

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN AT COALVILLE

CHEERS FOR A COALVILLE SOLDIER

Councillor C. Pearse said he was pleased to be on the same platform with his old opponent Mr Rands. For over nine years, week in and week out, Mr Rands had fought him at his meetings in Leicester Market Place, but all parties were united today. As a Unionist he supported the Government today, because they were up against the greatest thing known in history. He then called for three cheers for a Coalville soldier, Sergt.-Major T. Dooley, who had been made a Lieutenant in His Majesty’s Army. The cheers were heartily given and Councillor Pearse went on to say that our men were fighting for King, for law, for liberty.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 7th, 1915

It was only in our last issue that we published a photograph of Lieut. T. Dooley, of Coalville, and congratulated him on having been granted a commission in His Majesty’s Army. Alas, the gallant officer has not lived long to enjoy his promotion, having been killed in action on Saturday last. The sad news was contained in a telegram received by his aged father, Mr T. Dooley, of Margaret Street, Coalville, about mid-day on Tuesday. The telegram was from the War Office and ran as follows:

“Deeply regret to inform you that Lieut. T. Dooley, Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action, May 1st. Can you wire wife’s address? Lord Kitchener expresses deep sympathy. War Office.”

The deceased officer was in the 2nd Leicesters and was in India when war broke out having been there for nine years of the twelve that he had been in the army. He went to the front with the Indian Expeditionary Force in October. Before leaving Coalville he used to play football for the Coalville Town club. He was married in India twelve months last March and his wife is at present staying with Mr H. T. Dooley, at the Elephant and Castle Inn, Shrewsbury.

In January, Lieut. Dooley had five days’ leave of absence which he spent with his sister, Mrs C. W. Spring, of Park Lane, Darlington, where his wife, who has just returned from India, joined him. The news of the sad occurrence was forwarded to her at Shrewsbury on Tuesday. Mrs Dooley is a native of York.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 14th, 1915

How Lieut. T. Dooley died - Message of Sympathy.

Mr and Mrs T. Dooley, of 122 Margaret Street, Coalville, have received many expressions of sympathy on the death at the front of their son, Lieut. T. Dooley, and for these they are very grateful. The messages include the following:

Lord Aberconway’s Regret

43, Belgrave Square. Dear Sir, I saw with great regret the death of your brave son at the front. He has for many years served his country well and his loss will be widely felt. I beg you will convey my sincere sympathy to his wife. Believe me, yours truly.
Aberconway.

Kind Message from the King and Queen

Mrs Dooley, the widow, has also received the following:

Mrs Dooley, Elephant and Castle, Shrewsbury Spring. The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of your husband in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow.
Private Secretary.

Sympathy of the Colonel, Officers and Men

Dear Mrs Dooley, I am writing to you on behalf of Colonel Gordon, officers, N.C.O.’s and men, to express to you how grieved we all are at the death of your husband, and sympathy for you in your bereavement.

It will comfort you to know that he suffered no pain. A shell burst in a splinter proof, where he was, and he was killed instantly. Your husband will be a great loss to the regiment. He was always so cheery and took a great part in all games, was an excellent soldier exceedingly popular with everyone. He was my Company Sergeant-Major for a short time previous to his being promoted and I never wish to have a better. Also as an officer afterwards, everyone recognised his good qualities. We all trust you will accept our deepest sympathy, and that the knowledge that he was killed when fighting for the good of his country will assist you to bear your terrible loss. Believe me, yours sincerely M. Lewis May 2nd, 1915."

Coalville Times article - Friday June 4th, 1915

Posthumous Honour for Coalville Soldier

In an official list of honours – soldiers awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal – published yesterday, appeared the following:

Company Sergeant-Major T. Dooley, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, for conspicuous gallantry and marked ability near Neuve Chapelle from 10th to 13th March, 1915. He showed great resource in the able handling of his men under heavy fire, and also in strengthening the positions captured from the enemy.

This refers to the late Lieut. T. Dooley, killed in action on May 1st, a few days after he had received his commission. He was a son of Mr T. Dooley, of Margaret Street, Coalville

Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening an impressive service was held in the Coalville London Road Baptist Church in memory of thirteen former scholars of the Sunday School who have fallen in action. Their names are, Lieut. Ford, Lieut. T. Dooley, D.C.M., Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sergeant G. H. Wesson, Privates C. W. Jewsbury, H. G. Wharmby, Clifford Scott, T. Black, E. S. Boot, F. Martin, Jos. Wardle, James Wardle and J. Martin.

There was a large congregation which included the members of the Coalville Volunteer Training Corps, under the command of Commandant J. S. Turner. The pastor, the Rev. F. Pickbourne, conducted the service and gave an appropriate address. The choir rendered Sullivan’s “Homeland” and Mr J. H. Starkey (organist) played a funeral march by Beethoven. Suitable hymns were also sung by the congregation.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 27th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of my dear husband, Lieut. Thomas Dooley, who was killed in action in France, May1st, 1915.

“As the tempest wildly raging,
Rends the heavens apart
Lo, with pain, grief and sorrow
Rends the heart.”

From his loving widow, mother and father.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 3rd, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of my dear brother, 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Dooley, killed in action, May 1st, 1915.

“No loved one stood beside his grave,
No dear one saw him die.
We only know he passed away
Without a last good-bye.”

‘Too dearly loved in life to be forgotten.’ By his loving Sister Dorrie, Oadby.

Research carried out and kindly submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 30/08/2015