Doug was born 30 may, 1929 in Hartsville, PEI. He was educated there and began his working life as a teacher in the one room schoolhouse in Springfield PEI before moving to Moncton, NB and a position with Eaton’s. In 1951 Doug joined the RCAF as a radio and radar technician, but before completing that training he was selected for aircrew training and in 1952 he gained his navigator wings and a commission as a Pilot Officer. He then began operational flying with Maritime Command at Greenwood NS on 405 “Eagle” Squadron.

     Over the next 24 years Doug served in many capacities; as an instructor; as a Liaison Officer with the Navy—where he gained a “watchkeeping” certificate— as  member of the Greenwood Operations Staff; and again on flying operations with 404 Squadron where he was the last Commanding Officer of the “Buffaloes” before it became the training squadron. During these many years Doug became a legend among Maritime airmen for his unceasing  good humour and his part in many “noteworthy” incidents that became “stories of the times”. There were many such stories over the years and the name “Black Doug” attached itself to him and the legend that eventually surrounded those incidents that were told and re-told by Maritime airmen for more than two decades. But it would be wrong to imply that Doug had a light-hearted approach to his duties. Not so, he was an accomplished Maritime airman and his many thousands of flying hours attest to his professionalism, often unassuming, but ever present.

     Doug’s interest in aviation extended beyond his Air Force experience and he gained a private pilots license and was soon instructing in that field. And these newfound talents soon saw him active with the Air Cadet gliding program. Following his retirement from the Forces he became head of the Atlantic Provinces gliding program for the Air Cadet League, a position he held for four years.

     In 1980 Doug began yet another career when he and wife, Jean, moved to the west coast where he was instructing at a local flying club for a number of years before starting his own business, the “MacLeod School of Aviation”. As expected, it prospered and soon he had five aircraft and four staff instructors and an office manager.

     Sadly, Doug was killed in an automobile accident in June of 2002, but not before he had realized his life’s dream— a full career in aviation. He did that in full measure. In a very large circle of airmen “Black Doug” was colourful because of his ability to turn the commonplace and mundane into an event that sparkled with common sense and good humour. He was a warm a generous person, everyone’s friend. To several generations of airmen the name “Black Doug” carries a significance of its own.