Who was Herman Douthit?


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Herman Douthit is the only civilian buried at the American War Cemetery at Madingly, near Cambridge.

Who was he, and what was his connection to Nottinghamshire?

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Vaguely recall somethiing to do with Eakring Oil exploration during WWII, involving selected Americans - with oil work experience. Was he one of the explorers?

IIRC, there is a plaque at the site commemorating his death.

Cheers

Robt P.

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Correct - give that man the prize!

He was one of the American oilmen who drilled over 100 oilwells at Eakring during the war. He fell to his death - the only worker killed. I remember going to see the "nodding donkeys" as a kid!

The Dukes Wood Museum website: http://www.dukeswoodoilmuseum.co.uk/ has a very good history of the Americans coming over and doing the work - which was a key part of the war effort to overcome the losses caused by U-boats in the North Atlantic!

If you have never been to the American Cemetery at Madingley, I can recommend it if you are in the area. It is a very moving place - and makes you realise just how terrible war really is!

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I visited Madingly in about 1976 with the Air Training Corps and yes it is very moving even to a spotty 15 year old

We then moved on to the Shuttleworth Collection(Vintage planes) at Old Wardon Airodrome not that far away,a good day out.

;)

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