Bromley War Memorial

Parents: Walter & Emma Mary McDougall (nee Tasman)
Parents' occupation: Master wheelwright
Siblings: Ada Mary, Percy Walter, Gertrude Jane(d), Nellie Emma, Gerald Charles (d), Harold James, Sydney Archibald (d), Janet Ellen

Census information

1891
Address: Perrymead, High Road, Streatham
1901
Address: 249 High Road, Streatham
1911
Address: 8 Valley Road
Occupation: Surveyor

Extra details

Douglas was the eighth of Walter and Emma McDougall's nine children. His father died suddenly, at the age of 43, when Douglas was only five years old. He was educated at Dulwich College from Easter 1895 to 1901. In his final year he was a member of the 3rd XV. His two older brothers, Percy and Harold, had also been at Dulwich.

After leaving the Dulwich College he joined Messrs Slade & Butler, a firm of auctioneers, surveyors and estate agents, based on Cheapside in the City of London. In 1907 he joined another firm Talbot & White based in Southend-on-sea and Westcliff-on-sea Essex. After a trip to Australia in 1909, he returned to Slade & Butler for a short period before purchasing the established business of Messrs Waterer & Dickins, 138 High Street Bromley, with Horace Titford. He was a member of Sundridge Park Golf Club.

Douglas was a committed army reservist, having spent six years as a territorial in the London Scottish. At the outbreak of war Douglas re-joined his old regiment, where he straight away volunteered for foreign service. He went over to France on 14th September and was eventually posted to the Messines sector. He was on a mission on the night of 31st October when he went missing. He was last seen in the streets of Dixmude, where, surrounded by German soldiers he was making a grand fight against great odds, using his rifle as a club. It had been hoped that he had been taken prisoner but he was later reported missing, presumed dead.

Thank you to Dulwich College for their assistance.

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