author

H. (Composer) Douglas

1882–1954

A Derbyshire musician, marksman, and local public figure, he left behind a small but memorable footprint in early-20th-century British music. Best known today for a handful of organ pieces, he was also deeply involved in civic life in Matlock.

1 Audiobook

Machine gun manual : a complete manual to machine gunnery, containing details of Maxim, Vickers, Lewis, Colt, Hotchkiss, together with drill (elementary and advanced) fire orders, notes from the front and a mass of other useful information

Machine gun manual : a complete manual to machine gunnery, containing details of Maxim, Vickers, Lewis, Colt, Hotchkiss, together with drill (elementary and advanced) fire orders, notes from the front and a mass of other useful information

by H. (Composer) Douglas

About the author

Born in Matlock in 1882 and dying there in 1954, Harry Douglas is remembered as a well-known figure in the town. Sources on his life are limited, but they agree that music was a lasting part of it: he served as organist at Matlock Congregational Church for more than 50 years and composed several pieces of music.

Douglas also had an unusually varied public life. He was noted as a strong rifle shot, represented Great Britain at the 1924 Amsterdam Olympics in the free rifle event, and was active in local affairs, including service connected with the magistracy and the local golf club.

For listeners and readers today, his interest lies partly in that mix of roles. He was not only a composer, but also a community figure whose music sat alongside military service, sport, and civic duty, giving his work a distinctly local and human story.