Major Sholto William Douglas DSO

Major Sholto William DOUGLAS CBE DSO was born 11 October 1870, son of Major George Malcolm Douglas, 33rd Regiment.

He entered the Royal Artillery 25 July 1890; became Lieutenant 25 July 1893, and Captain 13 February 1900. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900, and was present at operations in Natal in 1899, including actions at Elandslaagte, Rietfontein (slightly wounded and horse shot) and Lombard's Kop. He took part also in the Defence of Ladysmith, including the action of 6 January 1900.

Captain Douglas was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Sholto William Douglas, Captain, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented to him by the King 21 October 1901.

He passed the Staff College; was Orderly Officer, 4th Class, 31 March 1903 to 14 April 1904; Assistant Experimental Officer, Army Ordnance Department, 15 April, 1904 to 2 February 1905; Army Ordnance Department, 3 February to 21 August 1905; Staff Captain, Headquarters of Army, 22 August 1905 to 18 February 1908; was promoted to Major 6 March, 1908; retired from the Royal Artillery 16 December 1911.

He was appointed Chief Constable, Metropolitan Police, 1910, and Chief Constable, The Lothians and Peeblesshire, in 1914.

 Major Douglas married, in 1901, Grace Catherine, daughter of Sir James Wolfe Murray, KCB, and Arabella (who died in 1900), daughter of W Bray.

He died on 12th April 1959

 

News of his death appears to be a little premature.

death notice

 

Medals sold by Sotheby's March 24, 1995:
Description: [ Medals ] A Particularly Fine C.B.E., Boer War D.S.O., K.P.M. Group Major Sholto William Douglas, Chief Constable of Midlothian, Peebles and East and West Lothian: Eight: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C. B.E.), Civil Division, type 1, Commander's neck badge, in silver-gilt and enamel, Distinguished Service Order, Victoria, in silver-gilt and enamel, King's Police Medal, George VI, 1st type (Chief Const., Maj., C.B.E., D.S.O., Midlothian, Peebles, E. & W. Lothian Constab.), officially renamed (?), Queen's South Africa Medal, 1899, 2 clasps, Elands., Defence of Ladysmith (Capt., D.S.O., R.F.A.), Defence Medal, 1939-45, Coronation Medal, 1911, Metropolitan Police Issue (Chief Constable, Major, D.S.O.), jubilee Medal, 1935 (privately eng. Major, D.S.O., Chief Constable), Coronation Medal, 1937 (privately eng. Major, C.B.E., D.S.O., Chief Constable), the D. S. O. slightly chipped on surround wreaths but generally very fine or better