Thomas Sutherland (British Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Douglas Sutherland
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| Born | 1892 Stronsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland |
| Died | Unknown |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | Lincolnshire Regiment Seaforth Highlanders |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order and Bar, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Military Cross, Mentioned in Dispatches |
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Douglas Sutherland (1892 - 1946) was a brave British Army officer. He fought in both the First World War and the Second World War.
Contents
Early Life and First World War Heroics
Thomas Douglas Sutherland grew up in Orkney, Scotland. When he was young, he moved to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). There, he joined a local army group called the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps.
In 1915, he officially became an officer, a second lieutenant. He joined the 6th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. His first time fighting was in the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915.
Bravery at the Somme
During the Battle of the Somme in 1916, he earned the Military Cross. He bravely brought back his commanding officer's body from a dangerous area called 'no man's land'. He then took charge of his company.
He was hurt in the Battle of Messines in June 1917. But by August, he was already leading 'B' Company of his battalion.
Awards for Leadership
Sutherland received the Distinguished Service Order for his actions in August 1917. This was during the Battle of Passchendaele. He successfully gathered his tired men and held a position they had just captured.
He later received a Bar to his DSO, which means he earned the award a second time. This was for his courage and leadership in November 1918. He showed great bravery during fighting near the Grand Honnelle River. By the end of the war, he was a major. He was also mentioned in official reports several times for his good work.
Thomas had four brothers who also served in the First World War. Sadly, two of his brothers, Anderson and Goodwin, died during the war.
Life Between the Wars and Second World War
After the First World War, Thomas Sutherland moved to Canada. He lived in Sechelt, British Columbia, and worked as a police officer. He was part of the British Columbia Provincial Police.
When the Second World War began, Sutherland joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1940. He fought with this regiment in the Battle of France. He was part of the famous evacuation from Dunkirk.
Service in Africa
After Dunkirk, he was sent to Ethiopia and Eritrea. There, he served in the Military Police. In 1943, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
In 1945, he left the army because of a disability. He was given the special rank of honorary lieutenant-colonel. Thomas Douglas Sutherland passed away in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1946, at age 54. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
