W.J. Duthoit composer / arranger

William James (W.J.) Duthoit (27 December 1885, London, England – 27 May 1965, Hounslow, London, England) was a prolific British arranger of wind music.

William James (Dusty) Duthoit is remembered as the chief arranger for the Chappell Army Journal from 1938 until his retirement in 1964. Many of his arrangements for that series are standards today, including numerous selections and overtures from Broadway shows.

Born in England in 1885, Duthoit is said to have descended from the Huguenots. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment on August 27, 1902. He attended the student bandmaster course at Kneller Hall from 1920-1923. After graduation, he was appointed bandmaster of the 2nd Battalion Staffordshire Regiment, with which he served until his retirement on February 24, 1929.

He was professor of instrumentation at Kneller Hall from 1934-1959, and although he was a prolific arranger, his original compositions were few. He published numerous arrangements under the pseudonym W.J. Dawson.