Douglas Attwood was born in Ulverston on 18 January 1892, the son of Alfred Attwood and his wife Annie Ramsden Attwood. After time in the Merchant Service, he joined the RNR, and, in August 1914, started submarine training.

In January 1915 he was appointed to HMS C23 as First Lieutenant and, in November of the same year, to HMS C19 as ‘First Officer’. Attwood had been confirmed as Sub Lieutenant RNR and had been promoted to Acting Lieutenant RNR by 23 August 1915. His next appointment was to HMS J5 as Navigating Officer and, in December 1916, to HMS E51 as ‘First Officer’. In July 1917 he was appointed to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS ALECTO at Great Yarmouth ‘for Submarine duties – Spare Crew’.

Douglas Attwood was awarded the DSC (London Gazette dated 22nd February 1918) for his part in the action resulting in the sinking of U-Boat UC-65 by HMS C15 on 3 November 1917 and, in his citation for the award, C-in-C Portsmouth had written as follows:

‘In recognition of his services on the occasion of the torpedoing of an enemy Submarine on the 3rd of November 1917. His advice and assistance materially helped towards the successful results achieved.’

Attwood subsequently commanded HMS F2 (1917) and HMS G5 (1918).

Douglas Attwood died of pneumonia at the age of 26 in the 1st North General Hospital on 24 November 1918 and was buried in the Darlington West Cemetery, Durham in Grave No. C.3N.122.