Father Francis Vernon Douglas was born in Johnsonville on the 22 of May 22 1910.

He excelled primarily in sports such as Cricket, Rugby, Handball and Boxing.

After leaving school he realized that he should become a priest, so he went off and went off to Mosgiel to study priesthood.

Eventually he set sail for the Philippines and arrived in his new parish in July 1938.

Everything was soon to change in a couple of years though.

The Japanese had invaded the Philippines in 1941 and Mr Francis was taken prisoner.

He was beaten and tortured for 3 days and eventually, he was never seen again.