Samuel Herbert Dougal (15 May 1847 – 14 July 1903), a notorious womanising convicted forger, was a soldier who used his medal-winning administrative skills to ill effect.

Dougal spent little time before replacing them in other relationships where he sired numerous illegitimate children in addition to his legitimate progeny.

By choice, Samuel Dougal transferred to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1877 and subsequently extended his period of service to 21 years.

Samuel nevertheless persuaded another woman, Bessie Stedman,[2] to be his 'mate' and she initially returned with Dougal to England when he was posted to Aldershot.

On discharge from the Royal Engineers, Samuel Dougal gave what appeared to be his youngest brother's address in Battersea as his destination.

With Marian, Dougal acquired the goodwill and furniture of the Royston Crow public house on Baldock Street in Ware, Hertfordshire in 1889.

Again his youngest brother helped him by providing employment for him at Biggin Hill, Kent and he was here until 1898 by which time he had lined up his next target, 56-year-old Camille Cecile Holland.

In early 1903, questions arose as to the whereabouts of Camille Cecile Holland and the fact that cheques and other financial instruments were being presented with what purported to be her signature.

She left six months later and gave birth in December 1902; Dougal evidently refused to provide for the child, so Kate sought an affiliation order on 27 January 1903.

Following an inquest where it was discovered that Miss Holland had suffered a bullet wound to the head, Dougal was committed for trial on 22 June 1903.

On 23 June, with the unanimous verdict of the jury, Dougal was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by Mr Justice Wright.