Lives of the First World War

The Medal Card of Colonel AP Douglas of the Royal Artillery, issued in India c.1918 when he was employed during the War to oversee the Indian Ordnance Department. It shows he was issued with both the War Medal and Victory Medal and looks as if there is also a note relating to his Mention in Despatches.

The medal for this Order awarded to Lt Col (acting Col) Archibald Philip Douglas, Royal Artillery, for operations in Mesopotamia (Ref. Supplement to London Gazette dated 22nd Dec 1916, page 12554)

This award was made to Colonel Archibald Philip Douglas, CMG, late Royal Artillery (Ref. London Gazette Supplement, 3rd August 1920, page 8057).

Cap badge worn by the Indian Ordnance Department 1901-22, for whom Lieut Archie Douglas, Royal Artillery, worked in India from June 1895 until 6 May 1919 when he left as Colonel, Deputy Director of the Department. Archie had played first-class cricket for Middlesex and Surrey so when he first arrived in India he was welcomed by both the Indian and British Armies, and we think this is why he was first placed in the Ordnance Department as being both central and fairly static and so available. He played a lot of cricket! Later he was in north China for the Boxer Rebellion 1899-1901, fighting in Mesopotamia (2nd Expeditionary Force "D") in 1916 for which he was awarded a CMG, and also in Serbia by whom he was given the Order of the White Eagle (4th Class).

The 2.5 inch Screw-Guns of a Royal Artillery Mountain Battery in India in 1895, with mules and drivers beyond (Navy & Army Illustrated)