William Douglas (Northern Ireland politician, born 1923)

William Albert Boyd Douglas (10 January 1923 – 17 May 2013[1]) was a Northern Irish unionist politician and farmer.

William Douglas
Chief whip of the Ulster Unionist Party
in the Northern Ireland Assembly
In office
1982–1986
LeaderJames Molyneaux
Preceded byOffice created
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Londonderry
In office
20 October 1982 – 1986
Preceded byAssembly re-established
Succeeded byAssembly dissolved
In office
28 June 1973 – 1974
Preceded byAssembly established
Succeeded byAssembly abolished
Member of the Constitutional Convention
for Londonderry
In office
1975–1976
Preceded byConvention created
Succeeded byConvention abolished
Member of Limavady Rural Council
In office
1960–1973
Succeeded byCouncil abolished
Personal details
Born10 January 1923
Limavady, Northern Ireland
Died17 May 2013
Political partyUlster Unionist Party

Background

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Douglas worked as a farmer and served as a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He rose to prominence as Limavady District Master in the Orange Order, leading protests against the civil rights movement, and organising loyalist demonstrations in Dungiven.[2]

William, also was a man that was capable of writing a catchy melody. He wrote tunes for bands and they are still played today regularly. Most of these tunes were used by his home band;Boveva Flute Band.

Douglas was also active in the Ulster Unionist Party. From 1960 to 1973, he served on Limavady Rural District Council. He was then elected in Londonderry for the Ulster Unionist Party at the 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, and held his seat on the Constitutional Convention and at the 1982 Assembly,[2] at which he served as Ulster Unionist Chief Whip. He strongly opposed the Good Friday Agreement.[1]

Douglas' son, known as Boyd Douglas, also became a politician.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Black, Rebecca (22 May 2013). "Tributes paid to highly respected Orangeman". News Letter. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b Sydney Elliott and William D. Flackes, Conflict in Northern Ireland, p. 235
Northern Ireland Assembly (1973)
New assembly Assembly Member for Londonderry
1973–1974
Assembly abolished
Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention
New convention Member for Londonderry
1975–1976
Convention dissolved
Northern Ireland Assembly (1982)
New assembly MPA for Londonderry
1982–1986
Assembly abolished