Douglas Percival Pielou was born in Glasgow on 17 October 1887. He was the son of an excise officer. On the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, becoming their Regimental Sergeant Major. At the battle of Loos in September 1915, he was severely wounded and the damage to his spine was such that he permanently lost the use of both legs. He was discharged from the army in 1916 and compelled thereafter always to use crutches. He was employed for some time as an accountant in the Ministry of Munitions. On returning to civil life, he went into business as an oil merchant in Dudley. He successfully contested the Stourbridge Division as a Conservative in 1922 and retained the seat in 1923 and 1924. His Liberal opponent, the Rt Hon. J.W. Wilson had held the seat for a quarter of a century. He made his maiden speech in the debate on the Address in November 1922 and was always listened to with attention, particularly when speaking on matters connected with ex-servicemen. Tragically he was taken ill with double pneumonia and died at the age of 39 on 9 January 1927. He was given a military funeral at Dudley.