The above image can be seen at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.
The memorial is in the named Campbell Millis Douglas. Birth name was Campbell Mellis Douglas.
Won V. C. at Andaman Island.
Assistant Surgeon Campbell Mellis Douglas. 2nd 24th Regiment of Foot (South Wales Borderers.)
Born 05 August 1840 at Grosse Island Canada to George Mellis, doctor and Charlotte Saxton Douglas.
Husband of Eleanor Ann
Awarded the Victoria Cross 07 May 1867.
Died 31 December 1909 aged 69 years at Birdwood, Horrington, Somerset. At rest in Wells, Somerset.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Campbell Mellis Douglas of Birdwood Wells M.D. V.C. a retired Lieut Colonel His Majesty's Army Medical Department died 31 December 1909. His effects went to Murial Constance Bigg-Wither wife of Lovelace Bigg-Wither.
Medals of the South Wales Borderers. May 1867 Little Andaman Island
www.northeastmedals.co.uk
The following full extract taken from a record found on the Nation Archives.
Catalogue Reference. WO/98/4
London Gazette. War Office, December 17, 1867.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officer and Soldiers of Her Majesty’s Army, whose claims to the same have been submitted for Her Majesty’s approval, for their gallant conduct at the Little Andaman Island, as recorded against their names, viz. :-
Regiment 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment.
Rank and Name
Assistant-Surgeon Campbell Millis Douglas, M.D.
Private Thomas Murphy. Private Hames Cooper. Private David Bell. Private William Griffiths.
Act of Courage for which recommended.
For the very gallant and daring manner in which, on the 7th May 1867, they risked their lives in manning a boat and proceeding through a dangerous surf to the rescue of their comrades, who formed part of an expedition which had been sent to the Island of Little Andaman, by order of the Chief Commissioner of British Burmah, with the view of ascertaining the fate of the Commander and seven of the crew of the Ship, “Assam Valley” who had landed there and were supposed to have been murdered by the natives.
The officer who commanded the troops on the occasion reports:
“About an hour later in the day, Dr Douglas, 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment and four Privates referred to gallantly manning the second gig, made their way through the surf almost to the shore, but finding their boat was half filled with water, they retired. A second attempt made by Dr. Douglas and party proved successful, five of us being safely passed through the surf to the boats outside. A third and last trip got the whole pf the party left on shore safe to the boats.”
It is stated the Dr. Douglas accomplished these trips through the surf to the shore by no ordinary exertion. He stood in the bows of the boat and worked her in and intrepid and seamanlike manner, cool to a degree, as if what he was then doing was and ordinary act of every-day life. The four Privates behaved in an equally cool and collected manner, rowing through the roughest surf when the slightest hesitation or want of pluck on the part of any of them would have been attended by the gravest result. It is reported the seventeen officers and men were saved from what must otherwise have been a fearful risk, if not certainty of death.
Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 17 April 1897
Newspaper cutting of the portrait of Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel Campbell Millis Douglas, V.C. in command of the regimental hospital in the Depot, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Berwick, who is leaving the army. Dr. Douglas served in the 24th Foot and who won his Victoria Cross in the Andaman Islands, by conducting a boat through a heavy sea to one of the islands and saving the lives of 17 officers and men on the regiment. Dr Douglas intends to take up his abode at weighbridge, where he will have ample scope to prosecute his hobby of canoe building. He some time ago mad an unsuccessful attempt to cross the English Channel in one his canvas boats.
