Douglas McInnes was an audit clerk in Dunedin when he joined the army. He was in the 19th Armoured Regiment in Italy when he was fatally wounded by German tank fire in July, 1944. The Official History of his unit contains these details of the encounter: At 9.30 a.m. enemy armour was seen moving in an area forward of La Romola, and from a range of 1700 yards these tanks engaged C Squadron commander’s tank, scoring a direct hit after six rounds in quick succession. The shot penetrated the Sherman, killing two of the crew and severely wounding Captain McInnes, who died at the main dressing station two days later.
"On the 31st the Padre brought back from 6 MDS the news of the death of Captain Doug McInnes. This was a sad blow to the regiment, for he had been a popular and gallant officer. Well known for his plain speaking and forthright manner, which he matched by great personal energy and dash, ‘Mac’ (as he was known to his close associates; he was Captain ‘McGinty’ to his troops) was the type of man whose passing left all ranks of the unit with a sense of personal loss. He was succeeded in C Squadron by Captain Wilson."
Douglas McInnes is buried in the Florence War Cemetery.
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