John Douglas (British Army officer)

Born the son of Lieutenant General Sir Neil Douglas, Douglas was commissioned in 1833.^[3] He commanded the 79th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Alma in September 1854, at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854 and at the Siege of Sebastopol in Winter 1854 during the Crimean War.^[3] He also took part in the response to the Indian Mutiny.^[3]

He went on to command the troops in the North British District from in 1873 before retiring in 1875.^[4] He was given the colonelcy of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from 1879 to 1887 and promoted full general on 30 January 1880.^[5]

He married Lady Elizabeth Cathcart, eldest daughter of the 2nd Earl of Cathcart.^[6] They had two surviving sons, born 13 years apart: Neil Douglas Cecil Frederick Douglas (born 1844) and Charles John Cathcart Douglas (born 1857).^[7][1]

He died in 1888 and was buried in the graveyard of St Munn's Parish Church, Kilmun.^[8] A memorial also exists on the central vault in Dalry Cemetery in west Edinburgh.^[9] He was the cousin of Sir James Douglas, 1st Governor of British Columbia.^[10]