The Prisoner of War Project – A Daughter’s View  details the entire service of Lt Col James Ian Douglas from enlistment to England then Sicily, his capture, time as POW and return home. It was compiled by his daughter Diana Claire Douglas. In a white, 3-ring binder,  are 83 clear sleeves, divided into 9 sections, containing: photos; letters; documents; Military records; drawings; maps; journals  and memorabilia; newspaper articles of Douglas, 48th Highlanders and battalion and key events; plus typed notes of key events and letters  arranged in chronological order. The contents were saved by Phyllis Douglas, wife of Ian. On the cover is a formal portrait of 2nd Lt Douglas before sailing to England.

1. Preface – 4 sleeves: Medals; JID obituary writeup; timeline from 1942 to 1945; Newspaper photos; officer’s postcard in England.
2. Trainings – 4 sleeves: Record of Service cards; ID; training photo; Qualification certificates; letter from friend who trained with Douglas
3. Overseas – 4 sleeves: note from Douglas from Halifax; DND overseas Order letter; notes by Diana re people and letters; pencil colour caricature of Douglas with letter and newspaper wedding article
4. Sicily – 7 sleeves: newspaper articles of 48th Highlander, 1st Battalion actions in Sicily with narrative typed for reading; article about D-Day Dodgers (with note from JID inked on one side).
5. Capture – 11 sleeves: Newspaper articles re Douglas capture; 3 official telegrams; letters from 48th Officers, Padre, Cpl, Commanding Officer, Dept of Defence; newspaper articles re others captured
6. POW Camps – 24 sleeves: 3 maps of POW camp locations; caricature of Douglas and Corbett; id tag; Italian camp id; POW id; photos of Douglas and others; photos of Oflag 5A over time; 6 letters from DND; 6 letters from National War Services; letters and telegram from Flying Officer Clerc; sketch of buildings in Oflag VA; 2 letters from released POW – Hood, with diagrams/sketches of huts; various letters – War Relatives Association, Simpsons, DND, 6 from Law Society of Upper Canada, 2 – mother of POW Read, Pass issued to Douglas re Walks permitted under oath, 1 to Colonel Millen, father of Phyllis. (Most letters have typed version with them for easy reading)
7. P.M.D At Home – 9 sleeves: 3 pages of recipe sized cards with information on other POWs; 5 sleeves of newspaper articles re 48th battalion and individuals; May 1945 Public Service in Burlington; Speech given by F.T.W. Saunders, June 8, 1945
8. Liberation – 7 sleeves: The liberation of Moosburg article by a POW; 10 telegrams re Douglas’ release; card from Red Cross Liberation bag received in England; Letter from Deputy Minister, C. H. Payne; newspaper articles
9. Back in Canada – 4 sleeves: newspaper articles of 48th Highlanders’ return to Toronto, 1 October 1945
10. Post-War – 9 sleeves: photos and newspaper articles of Douglas at 48th Highlander parade events; photos of Douglas, John Orr and Norman Bell in 1942 and early 2000s; Newspaper article re trip to New Zealand as reunion of POWs; Veteran Affairs Commendation; Obituary and speeches at funeral.

Available for research by Museum staff. Other researchers require the Curator’s written permission, which excludes any writing/publication of Lt Douglas’ POW experiences. Such writings must be approved by Douglas’ daughter and the Curator.