Born in Montreal, McDougall studied at McGill University before enlisting in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during World War II.
He had previously been recommended for decorations on two occasions, and is described as: "a real inspiration and example to his men, and largely responsible for the successes of his Company".
In 1951, McDougall began writing short stories, three of which were published in the Canadian magazine Maclean's, with two more appearing in the American periodicals This Week and New Liberty.
One of the Maclean's stories, "The Firing Squad", concerns a Canadian soldier who is sentenced to be executed for treason by his own army.
In 2005, Execution was reissued in a paperback edition as part of the New Canadian Library series, published by McClelland and Stewart.