Campbell Mellis Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Campbell Mellis Douglas
VC
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| Born | 5 August 1840 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 31 December 1909 (aged 69) Wells, Somerset, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Service/ |
.svg){kind=small} British Army |
| Years of service | 1862 - 1882 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot |
| Battles/wars | Andaman Islands Expedition North-West Rebellion |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Campbell Mellis Douglas (born August 5, 1840, died December 31, 1909) was a brave Canadian soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage given to soldiers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. This special medal is usually given for bravery during battles. However, Douglas received his Victoria Cross for a very daring rescue at sea, not for fighting an enemy.
Douglas joined the British Army in 1862.
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A Daring Rescue at Sea
Campbell Mellis Douglas became a doctor in 1861 after studying at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. He was 26 years old and worked as an assistant surgeon in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot. This was part of the British Army.
His heroic act happened during the Andaman Islands Expedition in 1867. The Victoria Cross he received was not for fighting. Instead, it was for saving lives during a dangerous storm at sea.
Saving Lives in the Andaman Islands
On May 7, 1867, a ship called the Assam Valley was near Little Andaman island, in eastern India. The ship's commander and seven crew members had gone ashore. They were feared to have been attacked by the local people.
Assistant Surgeon Douglas and four soldiers – David Bell, James Cooper, William Griffiths, and Thomas Murphy – bravely volunteered. They got into a small boat and went through very rough waves. Their goal was to rescue their comrades who were stranded on the island.
The official report about their bravery was published on December 17, 1867. It described how they risked their lives.
The Rescue Mission
The report explained that Dr. Douglas and the four soldiers made a first attempt. They rowed through the dangerous waves, but their boat filled with water, so they had to turn back.
They did not give up. Dr. Douglas and his team tried again. This time, they were successful. They managed to bring five people safely from the shore to the boats waiting further out.
They made a third and final trip. This allowed all the remaining people on shore to be rescued. The report said that Dr. Douglas showed amazing effort. He stood at the front of the boat, guiding it with great skill and calmness. The four soldiers also acted bravely and calmly, rowing through the roughest waves. Their courage saved 17 officers and men from great danger, possibly even death.
Life After the Rescue
Campbell Mellis Douglas continued his military career. He later became a lieutenant colonel. He served in India, in an area known as the Northwest Frontier.
He left the army in 1882 and moved to Lakefield, Ontario, in Canada. He married the widow of another Victoria Cross recipient, Valentine Munbee McMaster.
Service in the North-West Rebellion
In 1885, Douglas was called back to serve as a medical officer. This was during the North-West Rebellion in Canada. He showed his dedication by treating wounded soldiers. He helped those injured in the Battle of Fish Creek on May 3. He also cared for soldiers wounded during the Battle of Batoche on May 14.
Campbell Mellis Douglas moved back to England in 1894. He passed away in Hollington, Somerset, on December 30, 1909.
His Victoria Cross Medal
Campbell Mellis Douglas's Victoria Cross medal is now on display. You can see it at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
