It was with surprise and great sadness that the Regimental Association learnt of the terminal illness of Melvyn (Pounder) Douglas.
Melvyn would not be bowed by this cruel blow, fate had dealt him. The way he calmly applied himself to the task of completing his affairs, and his refusal to be anything but cheerful, speaks volumes about his courage.
Sadly Melvyn passed away on Wednesday 6th September 2017.
He will long be remembered as a man of great humour and a true friend to many serving and non-serving members of the Regiment.
Sgt Melvyn Douglas joined the QRIH in May 1967 in Wolfenbuttel and quickly established himself in 1st Troop ‘C’ Sqn. In his first winter in Germany he became a member of the Regimental Langlauf Team, having never seen a pair of skis in his life.
Having gotten over that winter of 67, Melvyn settled down to learning his military trades, and eventually became a Driving & Maintenance Instructor, a skill which was to serve the Regiment well.
In 1968 the Regiment moved to Perham Down for a short period and in 1969 a further move to Bovington, to become the first regiment to be posted as the RAC Centre Regiment and it was here that Melvyn was first promoted to L/Cpl and became a member of the Regimental Provost Staff, another skill that would serve the Regiment well in later life.
It was also here that Melvyn met his future wife Dineen (Denny) and they were married in July 1970.
The Regiment moved again that year to Paderborn, throughout their years in Paderborn they were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Amanda and Mary-Anne.
Melvyn’s driving skills eventually took him back to Bovington Camp in 1980 as a Driving Instructor at the RAC Driving School.
Melvyn served with the Regiment in Great Britain, Germany, Cyprus and Canada, and in each location was a mainstay of the squadron he was attached to.
On returning to one of his earlier skills in 1987, Melvyn became the Regimental Provost Sergeant, in Munster and remained in that post until he was demobbed in January 1990.
Never in his life did Melvyn turn anyone away. If it was a meal they needed, it was provided. If it was a shoulder to lean on, it was given. Truly Sgt Melvyn (Pounder) Douglas will be remembered
as a good Irish Hussar.
All our sympathy is extended to Melvyn’s family.
