A collection of historical and genalogical records
There is a board commemorating former Commandants of Queen Victoria School in a school corridor.
Among those listed is a Major GS Douglas. But who was he?
Searching Google did not throw up any clues, so I resorted to AI. Different phrasing of the question provided differing results. But which is correct and which is fiction is difficult to determine. What follows are the various responses I received.
Major GS Douglas was a notable figure in the history of the Cameronians, a Scottish regiment of the British Army. He served as the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion of the Cameronians during World War II. The Cameronians were known for their religious convictions and were sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Rifles". Major GS Douglas was a devout Christian and his faith was an important part of his life. He was awarded the Military Cross for his service during the war.
Major George Sholton Douglas JP was a British Army officer who served in the First World War. He was born on December 5, 1866, and died on July 1, 1928. In addition to his military service, he was also a Justice of the Peace (JP) and served as High Sheriff of County Down in Northern Ireland in 1916.
Major George Sholto Douglas JP High Sheriff of County Down in Northern Ireland in 1916
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Major George Sholto Douglas was a prominent figure in County Down, Northern Ireland, in 1916. He held the position of High Sheriff, which was an important role in the administration of the county. As High Sheriff, he was responsible for maintaining law and order, and for upholding the authority of the Crown.
Douglas was also a Justice of the Peace (JP), which meant he had the power to hear and decide on minor criminal cases. This was a common role for landowners and members of the gentry in rural areas of the United Kingdom.
Overall, Major George Sholto Douglas was a respected member of the community in County Down, and his role as High Sheriff and JP reflected his status and influence in the region.
In addition to his roles as High Sheriff and Justice of the Peace, there are a few other notable things known about Major George Sholto Douglas:
Military Career: Major Douglas had a distinguished military career before he took up his position as High Sheriff of County Down. He served in the British Army, including during World War I, and was awarded the Military Cross for his service.
Family: Major Douglas came from a prominent family in Scotland. His father was the 10th Marquess of Queensberry, and his sister was Lady Florence Dixie, a well-known author and traveler. Note: Florence Dixie was NOT the daughter of the 10th Marquess! It was the 8th Marquess.
Estate: Major Douglas owned an estate called Ballyroney in County Down. The estate included a large house, gardens, and farmland, and was a significant part of his wealth and status in the area.
Political Views: Major Douglas was a member of the Unionist Party, which supported the continued union between Ireland and the United Kingdom. This was a contentious issue in Ireland at the time, with many Irish nationalists seeking independence from Britain.
Overall, Major George Sholto Douglas was a complex figure, with a distinguished military career, a prominent family background, significant wealth and land holdings, and political views that were likely controversial in the context of early 20th-century Ireland.
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Major George Sholto Douglas was a prominent figure in his time, known for his military service and his involvement in politics. He was born in 1839 in Scotland, and later served in the British Army, rising to the rank of Major.
After retiring from the military, Major Douglas became involved in politics and was elected to the British Parliament as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Ballyroney in County Down, Northern Ireland. He served in this position from 1880 until 1885, when he resigned his seat.
During his time in Parliament, Major Douglas was known for his support of various causes, including the rights of Irish tenant farmers and the improvement of Irish infrastructure. He also advocated for the establishment of a separate Irish parliament.
Major Douglas died in 1891 at the age of 51. He is remembered as a dedicated public servant and a passionate advocate for the people of Ireland.
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From my records:
Capt. George Sholto Douglas, JP, born 1858 died 1916 at Selcraig, Dunblane, Stirlingshire Major, !st Batt Cameronians and 4th Batt Befordshire Regt
The more information you can give about the people you mention, the more chance there is of someone else connecting with your family.
Dates and places of births, deaths and marriages all help to place families.
Professions also help.
'My great-grandmother mother was a Douglas from Montrose' does not give many clues to follow up! But a bit of flesh on the bones makes further research possible. But if we are told who she married, what his profession was and where the children were baptised, then we can get to work.
Maybe it is time to update the information in your profile?
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