Doug was born in London England in 1918 while his father was serving in the Royal Air Force in which he had enlisted when it was still known as the Royal Flying Corps. Doug grew up and received his education in Edinburgh Scotland.

He joined the Royal Air Force in early 1939 and, after completion of training in January 1940 was posted to Coastal Command. Further training led to posting and operations with #6 Group Bomber Command. After Bomber operations he was transferred to Transport Command, flying between England and the Far East. Later he joined the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve (Training) and worked with the Air Training Corps in Edinburgh where he served until 1954.

During his business career Doug was President of the Scottish Tobacco Trade Federation and a member of the Scottish Chamber of Trade.

On arrival in Winnipeg in 1969 he has became involved in Air Cadet work, first as member and later Chairman of #220 Red River Squadron RCACS, and many years as a member of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada, including 3 years as Chairman. Doug was also a member of the Wartime Pilots and Observers Association, The Air Force Association, the Manitoba Soaring Council and #4 (St. James) Royal Canadian Legion.

Doug was awarded the Certificate Of Honour by the Air Cadet League of Canada in 1994 and was a Life Member of the ACL (MB).  He was the first recipient of the Manitoba Air Cadet Movement's Distinguished Service Award in 2007; the award was named in his honour in 2014.

He married the former Caroline Ferguson of Edinburgh in 1947. They have a son and daughter and four grandchildren.

Doug passed away at age ninety-five on September 1, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB.