Born in Chatham, ON on 3/06/1922. The son of Capt. Donald E. and Beatrice Douglas V.D. of 495 Queen St., Chatham, ON. next of kin: Beatrice Douglas.  Married to Margaret Dolores (nee Roach). Divorced. Married Doris (nee Markowski). The father of David Bruce, step-father of Edward and Phyllis.

James was serving with the 2^nd Kents until 1941, where he held the rank of L/Cpl. A470377.  He would be promoted to the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant with the Kent’s on 1 November, 1941.  James appears on the “Muster Roll” of the 2^nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown).  His commissioning  scroll indicates that he was commissioned on 1 November as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the 2^nd Reserve Battalion of the Kent Regt. 

James enlisted 1/08/1942 for active service and served in Canada until 10/06/43.  The CDN 18/03/43 reported he received his certificate at the Canadian Army Officers Training Centre at Three Rivers, PQ. in February. He  served in Canada until 10/06/43.   He went overseas as a member of the Essex Scottish in June 1943 to England, France, Belgium and Holland.  The CDN 30/06/43(P) reported that Lieut. cabled his parents that he had arrived overseas.  

Lieut. Douglas would see action in France, Belgium and Holland. It was reported in the CDN 4/11/44 that Lieut. James W. Douglas was wounded in action at the Holland front on 24 October. James was “struck in the right knee by a shell fragment of a high explosive shell.” The extent of his injuries was not available. He was invalided to hospital in England. 

It was reported in the CDN 4/11/44 that Lieut. James W. Douglas was wounded in action at the Holland front on 24 October. James was “struck in the right knee by a shell fragment of a high explosive shell.” The extent of his injuries was not available. He was invalided to hospital in England. 

The CDN 1/02/45 reported that Lieut. J. W. Douglas had returned to duty with the Canadian troops on the western front in Holland.  

James was promoted to Captain in March of 1945, and the CDN 8/03/45(P) reported that he “was under treatment for a serious wound and was in hospital, perhaps during Operation Vitality in the Battle of the Scheldt. Between June of 1943 and March of 1945 Captain Douglas had been wounded on five occasions, two requiring hospitalization. “On the three other occasions he was able to carry on.” 

Captain Douglas was wounded in the Battle of the Hochwald Forest on 28 February, 1945 (according to his field message book).   He remained in the Permanent Forces after the war   He was overseas in Korea from 12 February, 1951 to 19 February 1952 serving with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He was discharged 5 June, 1952. Promoted to Captain in March of 1945, and the CDN 8/03/45(P) reported that he “was under treatment for a serious wound and was in hospital. Between June of 1943 and March of 1945 Captain Douglas had been wounded on five occasions, two requiring hospitalization. “On the three other occasions he was able to carry on.”

After returning from Korea and discharge he went into the workforce and had a number of different jobs and positions.

James W. passed away 23 February, 1994 and is buried at the Crawford Cemetery, near Cedar Springs, Chatham-Kent.

The 1940 photo has him in the Kent Regiment uniform prior to joining the Essex Scottish and the 1945 photo is taken somewhere in Europe supplied by Son, David Bruce Douglas.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

2KRMR, CDN-Obit (wife) (15/02/14), CDN (1/02/45), CCI-RH, IODE(P), David Bruce Douglas – Son (21/01/18)

Birthplace	Chatham, Ontario
When Enlisted	August 1st, 1942
Next of Kin	Beatrice Douglas

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.