Eric Stuart Dougall was born in 1886, the only son of Andrew Dougall. He attended Tonbridge School prior to coming up to Pembroke in 1905, graduating in 1908, having studied Mechanical Sciences. Whilst at Pembroke he was captain of the College rugby team and was also a keen athlete. In 1906 was awarded his half blue for running, representing Cambridge in the cross country and in 1907 he gained a full blue, running in the half-mile race. In 1908 he was secretary of the Cambridge University Athletics Club. After leaving Cambridge he trained under the Chief Engineer of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board at Liverpool. In 1912 he left to take up an appointment as an Assistant Engineer to the Bombay Port Trust in India.

Unable to come home at the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the Bombay Light Horse. In 1915 he did return home and applied for a commission. He was gazetted to the Special Reserve, R. F. A. in July 1916 and travelled to France that same month. He was later promoted to Acting Captain.

He was awarded the Military Cross on 7 June 1917 “For most conspicuous gallentry and devotion to duty” (source: The London Gazette, Number 30251, page 8808, dated 25 August 1917) on the first day of the Battle of Messines. He remained in the Ypres Sector until January 1918, and on 7 January was promoted Lieutenant (S.R.), retaining his acting rank (source: http://www.vconline.org.uk/).

He died on 14 April 1918 during the Battle of Bailleul whilst directing the fire of his battery on Mount Kemmel and is buried at Westoutre British Cemetery (source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission website).

His award of the Victoria Cross was approved by the King on 4 June 1918, and was awarded for "most conspicuous bravery and skillful leadership in the field when in command of his battery" (source: The London Gazette, Number 30726, page 6571, dated 31 May 1918 [sic]).