In Memory of Rev Andrew M Douglas, 1911 - 2001

Today is the centenary of my father's birth.
He was born in Auchinleck, Ayrshire and the family moved to Paisley when the young Andrew was just four. His father, Jock Douglas, was a baker with the Co-op and a strong socialist, a risky thing in the days of the Great War, the Red Clydesiders and the Riot Act being read in Glasgow with tanks in George Square. Dad went to Paisley Grammar School on a scholarship and was a high achiever both academically and on the sports field. Following school, Dad went up to Glasgow University and read the classics - Latin, Greek & Hebrew before doing divinity and gaining his Masters Degree.
As a Church of Scotland minister, he served in Maryhill, Glasgow then Duns, Berwickshire before settling in Hamilton, where I grew up. After being an ordained minister for 50 years, he finally retired to try and perfect his game of golf.
Following my mother's death, Dad began to feel increasingly lonely until, one St Valentines Day, he phoned his first love, Elsie. Herself also recently widowed, Elsie and Dad hit it off immediately, married and they enjoyed 16 happy years together.
Dad had a wonderful life and died just a month short of his 90th birthday, ten years ago.