Leading Steward Woodrow Craig Douglas (D/LX 24527) served in the Royal Navy during World War Two. Born on 7th July 1920, he was the son of Harold Douglas and the late Mina Douglas (née Craig) of Belfast, Co. Antrim, and the husband of Margaret Young Douglas (née Carruthers) of 23 Tower Street, Belfast, Co. Down.
The couple married in October 1942 and Woodrow rejoined his shipmates 3 days later. He would never return to Belfast, Co. Antrim. In December 1942, Douglas was Mentioned in Despatches for his bravery and devotion to duty. HM Submarine Tigris destroyed an Italian submarine and Leading Steward Douglas was in charge of passing orders from the control room.
He carried out this duty with zeal and efficiency. At all times, his unfailing cheerfulness even in the most adverse conditions set a very fine example to his shipmates.
Woodrow died between 24th February 1943 and 10th March 1943 aged 25 years old. HM Submarine Tigris under the command of Lieutenant Commander George Robson Colvin DSC left Malta on 18th February 1943. The crew patrolled around the Bay of Naples but never arrived in Algiers as expected on 10th March 1943. The most likely cause of the loss of the submarine was at attack from German submarine chaser UJ-2210 on 27th February 1943. The chaser claimed a victory on that date around 6 miles southeast of Capri, Italy. The German vessel made 3 depth charge attacks on a submarine and observed oil brought to the surface. A final attack with 13 depth charges brought a large air bubble to the surface. The last sighting of Tigris was 0730hrs on 24th February 1943.
Woodrow Craig Douglas has no known grave. His name is on Panel 83, Column 2 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.