Duncan Cenotaph

As part of our project to document the names on the Duncan Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is a page about Sergeant Frederick James Douglas, who died 9 April 1917 at Vimy Ridge while serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.

Here are the local Cowichan Leader newspaper reports of the death of Sergeant Frederick James Douglas:

“Sergt. Fred Douglas

Mrs. Douglas, Duncan, received word on Tuesday that her son, Sergt. Fred Douglas, is now officially reported wounded and missing. In April last he was included in the casualty list as having been wounded on April 9th at Vimy Ridge. Sergt. Douglas joined the Royal Canadian Regiment soon after war broke out, and had served in Bermuda before going to France in October, 1915. At one time he conducted a harness making business in Duncan. He was prominent in baseball and basketball and highly esteemed in the city.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 14 June 1917, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

“Sergt. F.J. Douglas

The casualty list of November 26th contained the name of Sergt. F.J. Douglas, Duncan, among the killed. He was included among the wounded at Vimy Ridge and in June last was posted as wounded and missing. Many in Duncan will mourn the passing of this brave soldier. He joined the Royal Canadian Regt. early in the way, served in Bermuda, and arrived in France in October 1915. He leaves a mother in Duncan.”

(Source: Cowichan Leader, 29 November 1917, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

Here are some websites with more information on Frederick James Douglas:

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