Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. McIntyre of King Street West, Chatham.  He had a younger brother, Capt. Donald James (MiD) RCE, in November of 1945 he had been repatriated to Wallaceburg  after suffering injuries on the western front. His sister LAW Jean was serving with the RCAF(WD) stationed at Centralia, ON. Douglas married Rosemary Dorothy (nee Gordon) in Truro, NS. she resided with her husband parents in Chatham, later she would reside at Glen Gordon. Prior to the war Douglas was employed at the Dominion Bank in Chatham. His wife resided with his parents during the war.

Douglas joined the First Kents when it mobilized in 1940 as a Lieutenant and trained with that unit in various parts of Canada, London, Halifax, Niagara Falls New Westminister and Terrace, BC..  Reported returning to New Westminister, BC. with Lieut. W.W.Hall after a leave in Chatham. CDN 7/09/42

The CDN 1/02/43 reported that Miss Rosemary Gordon the daughter of Mrs. Ellis Jones of Detroit and the late Glenn Victor Gordon married to Lieut. Douglas William McIntyre, formerly of the First Kent Regt. the second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. w. McIntyre. The ceremony was performed at Truro, NS. CDN 13/02/43 Photo of couple after wedding.

He was sent overseas as a reserve (replacement) officer to the Essex Scottish Regt.  He served on the European battlefront and was awarded a mentor in Dispatches. The CDN1/03/43 reported that he cabeled his parents informing them that he arrived overseas. He saw action in Normandy, shortly after D-Day in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany with the Essex’s and received two field promotions first to Captain in 1944, and then to Major, as a result of his successful record with that unit.  Lieut McIntyre was reported to have been promoted in the CDN 17/02/44 also CDN 29/02/44(P)

Douglas joined the First Kents (M.G.) when it mobilized in 1940 as a Lieutenant and trained with that unit in various parts of Canada,

Reported returning to New Westminister, BC. with Lieut. W.W.Hall after a leave in Chatham. CDN 7/09/42.

He was sent back to England to train reinforcements for the Canadian army until he was recalled to the Essex Scottish after Major Telford Steel was wounded where he became second in command of the regiment.  On 23 April Major McIntyre received a shrapnel wound in his left shoulder during fighting in Holland. He remained in action ll through the day but was eventually forced to accept hospitalization the following day. CDN 19/11/45

Major McIntyre was reported to have been Mentioned in Dispatches (MiD) in the CDN 20/06/45 along with his brother Capt Donald McIntyre.

Major McIntyre was wounded in action while fighting in Holland. He received a shrapnel wound in the left shoulder but remained in action for the rest of the day before retiring for hospitalization. It was reported that Major McIntyre was recuperating and expect to be soon discharged from hospital.  CDN 7/05/45(P).

Captain McIntyre distinguished himself in the early stages of the grim fighting at Caen and was in charge of a company when the Germans used the Robot Tanks against the Allied forces.

It was while the Canadian divisions were driving on Groningen in the north of Holland that Major McIntyre was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)for outstanding gallantry in action.

“Leading his company, the Major discovered a bridge across a canal which separated Canadian forces from the strong Hun garrison. He made a quick personal reconnaissance and devised plans for crossing the bridge. Exposed to fire from automatic weapons, 20mm canon and bazooka he observed the position of enemy strong points and then directed fire against German batteries. The accuracy of the fire enabled the company to cross the bridge before the enemy could recover and the ensuing battle in the heart of the German stronghold enabled the Canadians to hold a strong bridgehead and led to the surrender of the Commander and staff of the garrison.” In the citation on the DSO Major McIntyre was praised for his “energetic and inspiring direction of the battle.”

The CDN 8/09/44 reported “During the early part of the Battle of France he served with distinction in the fighting around Caen. When his company commander was wounded the 24 year old Chatham officer took over, and it was while he was in command that his company bore the brunt of the firing from the German ‘robot tank.”  This action was vividly describes in a Canadian Press story Ross Munroe (famous WWII field reported). As a result of his skill in the performance of his duties Capt. McIntyre was promoted to Major.

It was while the Canadian divisions were driving on Groningen in the north of Holland that Major McIntyre was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)for outstanding gallantry in action.

Discharged January 16th, 1946.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	MiD, DSO
Sources	CFF-FD44, IODE(P), CCI-RH, CDN(13)

Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
Religion	Presbyterian
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	July 26th, 1940
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Rosemary Gordon McIntyre

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