Lt. J. Ian Douglas, 2nd Bn 1940

LCol J I (Ian) Douglas, CM,KStJ,CD

Lt. Ian Douglas joined the 2nd Battalion, 48th Highlanders in Toronto and is shown in a 1940 newspaper article as one of the 52 officers of the 2nd Battalion who were training for service in the Second World War. Once in England he quickly joined the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders in January 1943 in the New London-Horam area. In April, in preparation for the sailing to Sicily, Lts. Ian Douglas, Ken McLurg and Bob Handley were named for the rear party of 157 non-coms and men. For the sailing he was appointed a platoon commander in Charlie Company. In Sicily Douglas led one of two fighting patrols to determine what they would face on the attack to take Valguarnera. On 31 July getting into position to assault Regalbuto, ” Lt Fraser had traded platoon sites with Lt Ian Douglas, a battlefield swap which had a strange sequel, unlucky for Douglas.” “His position was so badly sited it had practically no field of fire.” While looking for a better location his  13 platoon was attacked and Lt Douglas was captured. Lt. Douglas later declared “he was in a German prison camp as a proxy for Lt. Fraser.”

After the war, Douglas, he studied law at University of Toronto and rejoined the 48th Highlanders in Toronto as a Major and was OC of Support Company. Later he transferred to 14 Militia Group and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1958.

in civilian life he practiced law and was a partner with McCarthy and McCarthy.

He served as Chairman of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. While holding that position he activated the Sunnybrook Foundation and led its first capital campaign. Past National Chairman of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires. Past President of the Fort York Branch of The Royal Canadian Legion. Member of the Senate of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. In retirement he was a dedicated and proud supporter of the interests of Veterans and advisor to Veterans Affairs Canada; awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.   When he died on 30 October 2006 he was le last living 1st Battalion officer who landed at Pachino.  

Awards
Date
Award
Citation
11-Jan-1978
Member of The Order of Canada (CM)

Founding President of the Canadian Epilepsy Association; Chairman of the National Board of Governors of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and Trustee of Sunnybrook Medical Centre. He has ably served these and other organizations for many years.

Invested: 19 Apr 98

 

2006
Command Commendation (CAC)

VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMENDATION
Mr. Ian Douglas was a Second World War Veteran and Prisoner-of-War who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1958. He was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 55 years and served as President of Fort York Branch 165. Over the years, Mr. Douglas was a strong supporter and advocate for Veterans. He served in the Canadian Corps of Commissioners for more than 50 years as Chairman of the Toronto Corps and subsequently as Chairman of the National Board of the Corps. He was a Past Chairman of the Board of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He fought hard to have 37 Veterans’ beds and eventually 44 beds reopened at Sunnybrook. Along with the late Ross LeMesurier, Mr. Douglas worked for Veterans Affairs Canada to be able to name two appointees to the Sunnybrook’s Board and to create a Veterans’ Committee with three appointees. He was also instrumental in having the terms of the Laura Ann Hart Trust changed, so that trust monies could be spent on the Veterans in Sunnybrook. Mr. Douglas was a Member of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Queen’s 25th Anniversary Medal, Canada’s 100th Birthday Medal, the Queens’ 50 Year Jubilee Medal and Canada’s 125th Anniversary Medal.

CD
Unit(s)
Militia / Reserve Bn, 48th First Bn (WW 2), 48th Second Bn (WW 2)
Fate
Taken prisoner

Data source(s)

Source
Detail
*Reinforcement Draft 10 Jun 1940
Lieut J. I. Douglas - Prisoner of War
Museum Archive Documents
Newspaper article with photos of the 52 Officers of the 2nd Battalion, 48th Highlanders in 1940
Regimental History (Vol 3)- Dileas: A History of the 48th Highlanders of Canada 1929–1956
Pages 182-6, 196-6, 250, 289, 303-8, 364-7, 795
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