Harry Douglas

Harry Douglas was a well-known, and well-respected resident of the Derbyshire Spa town of Matlock. He was born and died in the town, and served the community in many capacities. A director of the local golf club, he was also chairman of the local magistrates, and through his love of music, was the organist at the Matlock Congregational Church for over 50 years. He composed several pieces of work for the organ, using the pseudonym John Masson.

Douglas served in the Sherwood Foresters in World War I and was the Battalion Musketry Officer. He wrote several books on musketry, which were adopted as official publications. He saw service in France and eventually reached the rank of major.

As a match shooter, Douglas first competed at Bisley in 1905 and was a regular visitor until shortly before his death. His collection of Bisley medals and trophies is unrivalled. Douglas competed in the final Hundred of the King’s Prize on many occasions, and the nearest he came to winning was in 1927 when he finished third, just two points behind the winner. Douglas captained the England team in the annual match against Scotland, Wales and Ireland at Bisley every year between 1929-32. In total, he took part in 39 international contests. It would have been 40, had the day he was due to set sail with the England team to Australia in 1914 not been the day World War I broke out.