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.