Lieutanant Francis Douglas

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Francis John Douglas
Ancestor's date of birth: 10/09/1873
Ancestor's date of death: 30/01/1964
Cause of Death: Post operative complications after hernia operation
Service and Life Before the Boer War: 1885-1891, St Peter's College, Adelaide. 1892, University of Adelaide (medicine) and 1897, Ormond College, University of Melbourne (medicine). Graduated from University of Melbourne; 1898 doctor on the North-South railway line (Hergott Springs/Maree and Oodnadatta). 1899 Assistant to Dr Archer (Moonta).
Service Number: Officer - no number
Colony or State of enlistment: SA Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Unit: South Australian Citizen's Bushmen
Rank attained in Boer War: LT (Medical Service), Date Effective: 08/03/1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of Post Boer War military service.
Murray Page: 353
Contingent: Third South Australian
Ship: SS Maplemore, Date of Sailing: 08/03/1900
Memorial details: Buried near Victor Harbour, South Australia
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with 5 clasps including Rhodesia, Transvaal and South Africa 1901.
Personal Characteristics: Warmhearted, patriotic, caring doctor, good horseman,
Reasons to go and fight: Patriotic
Details of service in war: April 1900 - April 1901 in Rhodesia and west Transvaal. Captured by Boers for 5 days caring for the wounded Lieutenant AE Collins. Rescued by Kitchener's approaching column. Took a column of wounded 160 kilometres to hospital without any dying.
Service and life after the Boer War: At the end of his South African service he went to Britain for a holiday and hospital work then returned to Australia. Frank Douglas joined a medical practice at Victor Harbor, South Australia, on 1 December, 1902, and remained in practice at Victor Harbor for the whole of his working life. Victor Harbor is a seaside town on the Southern Ocean, 80km from Adelaide On 19 February 1903 he married Margaret Clerk Robertson at Golden Grove. They had 6 children, the most famous of whom was Mary Stuart (May)Douglas, who became Lt Colonel and head of the AAMWS in WWII.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Richard John Blandy, Norwood SA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

Return to Descendant Database