Campbell Mellis Douglas

Campbell Mellis Douglas VC (5 August 1840, Quebec City - 31 December 1909), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 26 years old, and an assistant surgeon in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Andaman Islands Expedition when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 7 May 1867 at the island of Little Andaman, eastern India, in the Bay of Bengal, Assistant Surgeon Douglas and four Privates (David Bell, James Cooper, William Griffiths and Thomas Murphy) of the 2/24th Regiment risked their lives in manning a boat and proceeding through dangerous surf to rescue some of their comrades who had been sent to the island to find out the fate of the commander and seven of the crew, who had landed from the ship "Assam Valley" and were feared murdered by the cannibalistic islanders.

Further information

VC not awarded for bravery in action against the enemy, but for bravery at sea in saving life in storm off Andaman Islands. He later achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Canadian War Museum "(Ottawa, Canada)".

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/somerset.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Somerset)"
* [http://www.legionmagazine.com/en/index.php/2004/03/canada-and-the-victoria-cross-of-rebellion-and-rescue-2/ Legion Magazine article on Campbell Douglas]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11267729 Find-A-Grave profile for Campbell Mellis Douglas]
* [http://collections.civilization.ca/public/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=3123336 Douglas' Medals at the Canadian War Museum]