Name
Donald Owen Howard Tripp (DSO)
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/08/1916
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Service Order
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 11 A.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Radlett Town Memorial, Hampstead Parish Church Memorial, Dunchurch Hall Preparatory School Memorial, Warks
Pre War
Donald Owen Howard Tripp was born in 1891 in York, Yorkshire, the son of Charles and Laura Tripp, twin to his brother Hubert Bereston Tripp.
On the 1891 Census the family were living in Fulford, York. they had moved to Derby by 1901 and by the 1911 Census, the family were living at 12 Crediton Road, Silverton, West Hampstead, London. He was a keen sportsman and often played rugby for Harlequins. The family later lived at 489 Finchley Road, Hampstead, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
He received his commission in December 1914, left for France in September 1915 and was attached to the 1st battalion, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
He was awarded the DSO in March 1916 for conspicuous gallantry and determination when he was wounded during an enemy bomb attack. He had his wounds hurriedly dressed and returned to his post with only a Sergeant and two men to keep the enemy at bay. When his men were wounded, he sent the Sergeant back for reinforcements, and single-handedly held the enemy for 20 minutes until relieved.
He was wounded 3 times and eventually killed in action on 18 August 1916 at High Wood after capturing a German trench.
Additional Information
His father Charles received his pay owing of £121 3s 7d. He was also granted probate on 5 November with effects of £115 3s 3d. His younger brother Cyril died on 13 November 1916 and is buried at Grandcourt Road Cemetery, France. His twin brother Hubert also served, initially with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, later transferring to the 4th Btn Kings Liverpool Regiment, where he served as Captain. He survived the war and died in Ealing in 1948. N.B. Probate records give his battalion as 3rd not the 1st as in CWGC records.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
kilburnwesthampstead.blogspot/2016/07/the-battle-of-somme-100-years-ago
