Dougie Stroud is the Clubs oldest member aged 97. I visited Dougie last week at his nursing home in Bramley, Hampshire. I was joined by his son Richard and his friend Nigel Smith.

I am pleased to report that Dougie was in good form. He is frail but still has the cheeky smile that many of us will remember. See attached photo.

He sends his best wishes to all at the Club and is looking forward to following the 1st XV results as he has done for many years.

Dougie played for Chichester mid 1930s as a scrum half before moving to Wales in 1938 where he joined the TA and Newport Rugby Club playing several times for the 1st XV but further opportunities were denied by the outbreak of war and a transfer away to the South Coast with the South Wales Borderers Regiment where he rose to the rank of Captain. He married Anne in 1940.

Following the D Day landings his regiment moved into Holland in April 1945. Near the town of Zetten he was involved in a ‘dangerous situation being outnumbered and short of ammunition’. Dougie took charge himself shooting one of the attackers and held the position until reinforcements arrived .The enemy withdraw leaving a number of dead including a high ranking German officer who was carrying a map marking all the key German positions in the area. For his part in this action he was awarded the Military Cross.

Typically of Dougie he rarely spoke of this and did not want to have the MC initials after his name. At 97, his son Richard and myself have persuaded him to finally allow this outstanding honour to be recognised together with his TA medal ‘Territorial Decoration’

After the war Dougie remained in the Chichester area and moved into a career in farming at Adsdean Farm, Funtington and at Park Farm in Itchenor. He became a very active member of CRFC both as a player and a member of the Club’s Committee. He was a key figure in building the Club’s first club house, a timber framed structure erected by Club members.

He became Club President from 1969 to 1971. I am delighted to report the Club’s Honours Board and match programs will be changed to show Dougie’s name followed by ‘MC. TD’

After retiring from Farming he became “host” at the Bell Inn, Birdham. After a few years of hard work there he and his wife took an overland trip around the world. On their return they settled in Wittering where they remained for some thirty years and he became a regular Saturday afternoon touchline supporter at Oaklands Park.

Dougie has two sons, Martin who played for Chichester in the late 1950s. He emigrated to Canada in 1961 and Richard played three seasons in the mid 1960’s he now lives near Dougie’s nursing home.

Alan Bradford ( Past President )