DOUGLAS EMERY CATCHPOLE

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Family images courtesy of Nicola.

Born: 19th February 1917, at Lynmead, Lattice Barn, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

When Douglas was born, his father, Cyril, was a cashier at a tobacco factory.

Died: 13th June 1940; age: 22; missing presumed drowned, at sea off Saint Valery en Caux, France.

Residence: Overdale, 136, Henley Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer’s Draughtsman.

Rank: 4th Engineer Officer.

Regiment: Merchant Navy, S.S. Train, Ferry No. 2 (London). 145207.

Memorial Reference:

Panel 109.

Tower Hill Memorial,

London.

Father: Cyril Catchpole, born November 1884, 12, Orwell Place, Ipswich.

Mother: Frances Josephina Catchpole (nee Sutcliffe), born November 1893, in Clapham, London.

Brother: Richard Emery Catchpole, born May 1927, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1921   ‘Merley’ 12, Fonnereau Road, Ipswich.

Douglas was 4 years and 4 months old. He lived with his parents and brother.

Cyril Catchpole, 36 years & 11 months, a Brewer – The Uniform Company Ltd., Ipswich.

Frances Catchpole, 28 years & 7 months old, Home Duties.

Brian Emery Catchpole, 21 months old, born Ipswich.

1 French children’s nurse.

1 cook.

1 female general domestic servant.

Douglas with his mother, Frances, also known as Betty.

Nathaniel Catchpole – Mayor of Ipswich, 1889-1890

The Catchpoles were a wealthy, brewing family. In 1855, Douglas’s great great uncle, Nathaniel Catchpole, took over the Unicorn Brewery at Foundation Street, Ipswich, from Ashton Blogg. In 1918, the family changed the name from Catchpole & Co. to Unicorn Brewery Co. Ltd. and continued brewing at the premises in Foundation Street. In 1923, the brewery and 56 public houses were taken over by Tollemache’s Brewery and Cobbold & Co. until 1923. Douglas’s father, Cyril, moved into the vacant premises to continue a mineral water, lemonade, ginger beer, cider and cordial bottling plant that he had taken over from another Ipswich family firm of Talbot & Co. Ltd. During the Second World War Cyril was awarded the franchise for selling Pepsi Cola to all the American personnel based in Suffolk.

More information can be seen here  – www.ipswich-lettering.co.uk/unicorn.html

Mayors of Ipswich:

Douglas’s great great uncle, Nathaniel Catchpole, was Mayor 1889 – 1890.

His grandfather, William John Catchpole, was Mayor from 1902 – 1903.

His father, Cyril Catchpole, was Mayor from 1950 – 1951.

Douglas was educated at Ipswich School and Uppingham School, Rutland.

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

Douglas was a Mechanical Engineer’s Draughtsman. He lived with his parents and brother at the family home – ‘Merley’ 12, Fonnereau Road, Ipswich.

Cyril Catchpole, Mineral Water Manufacturer – Managing Director. During the Second World War, Cyril was part of the Ipswich Special Constabulary.

Frances Catchpole, unpaid Domestic Duties.

1 other.

4 household servants.

Probate to Cyril Catchpole – Company Director.

Douglas is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial and the Library war memorial at Uppingham School.

13th June 1940

S.S. ‘Train Ferry No. 2’, a 2,678 grt ferry, was built for the British Army by Armstrong W.G. & Whitworth Co. Ltd., Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, in the Lowe Walker yard. Launched on the 12th September 1917. S.S. ‘Train Ferry No. 2’ and her sister ships – No. 1 and No. 3 were the first vessels to offer regular transport between the U.K. and Europe for rail freight vehicles and could also be used for road transport. They were designed to help alleviate the congestion, inefficiencies and delays brought about by the bottleneck system at the Channel ports during World War One.  S.S. ‘Train Ferry No. 2 was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in September 1939 for the transportation of military traffic to and from Calais. In June 1940, she helped in the evacuation of troops from the small fishing port at Saint-Valery-en-Caux, Haute-Normandie, France. On the 13th June 1940, S.S. ‘Train Ferry No. 2’ was damaged by German shore gun batteries, she was beached and abandoned off Saint-Valery-en-Caux. 14 crew members were lost.