大象传媒

1632913. Gnr. Douglas Thomson
13th Searchlight Battery RA
5th Searchlight Regiment RA

Dougal married Kate Cameron in Edinburgh on the 4th February 1941 on his 1 week embarkation leave.
He sailed from England on March 21st 1941 for India and then on to Singapore.
A prolific letter writer he continued writing letters home until his capture by the Japanese, after the fall of Singapore on the 15th February 1942. He was rescued on the 28th August 1945 and sent his first letter on the 7th September 1945.
The following excerpts are from some of these letters.

Leaving England - Tues. 18th March 1941

Darling, I have some bad news for you today and that is that we have instructions that we move on Wed night, so by the time you get this note I鈥檒l be on my way.
In the meantime you will remember not to worry about me and keep you chin up. You will probably not hear from me for many weeks but don鈥檛 let that worry you Kit. I鈥檒l come back alright I have that feeling.
Yours forever. Dougal

Malaya - 19th August 1941 Reflecting on their marriage.

My dear lassie ...I dread to think how I should have felt if I had been writing to you now as my sweetheart only. I guess I would have given up altogether, feeling it was so hopeless and that I was just spoiling your life, but with you beside me gives me inspiration to keep going forward, believe me Kit I just wish you could realise how much it means to me. ...Forever yours Dougal

Thailand - 7th September 1945 Rescued (typed) A cable had already been sent

Sweetheart, A line to hasten to tell you not to expect me on the first parties to return because I am not in the best condition to be travelling too far.
It was a great relief to know that we were free, especially as the party of 1000 men that I was with was stuck in the dense jungle, with a starvation ration. Apart from the meagre issue from our hosts, it was too far from civilisation to even buy an egg.
All my love sweetheart, and you might remember me to Dad and Mum and family. Yours ever Dougal

Poona - 14th January 1946

Leave Poona tonight for Bombay. Expect to sail on the 15th January and believe the name of the ship is H.M.H.S. Somersetshire. I鈥檒l be seeing you. Love Dougal

Nearing Port Said on H.M.H.S. Somersetshire 26th January 1946

I can鈥檛 tell you the exact date we will arrive in England, but can only guess it will be round about the 10th of Feb. probably Liverpool, but you don鈥檛 need to worry about that. When we arrive in England I鈥檒l wire right away and remember DO NOT GET EXCITED whenever I do get in. just take it nice and canny.........OK?
Cheerio and all my love. yours aye, Dougal

Dougal eventually got home to Kate on the 13th February 1946, stepping alone from the train at Pittenweem station in Fife. They had not seen each other for 5 years. They moved to Anstruther and had 2 daughters -Elizabeth and Anne. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Dougal died on the 22nd July 1991.

Submitted by Elizabeth Thomson - Daughter.

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