Douglas Lister

Douglas Lister was a Scottish Minister who founded the development charity Christian Aid in the 1940s. As an Army chaplain he saw first hand the suffering in post war Germany, and, appealing to the Scottish Church began the fund raising to relieve destitution.

He was noteable in his fundraising. He served in Gibraltar and Luneburg, Germany as an Army Chaplain. The Army posted him for insubordination because he was raising funds for the Commandos, arriving in Luneberg in 1947.

Through his meeting Markus, a former Luftwaffe pilot, he learned of the refugees from the Russian sector starving and wrapping babies in newspaper to keep warm. The refugees lived in tents on the banks of the Elbe. As a serving officer of the occupying forces he was governed by a no fraternisation order preventing him from helping. He appealed to his commander that his chaplaincy overrode the Army orders.

He sent a letter to many churches and many other places in Scotland asking for help, resulting in good quality donations of food and clothing. The donation were anonymous. His actions, which saved lives, were similar to other Army chaplains in Europe.

Initially called the “Inter Church and Refugee Service” went on to become Christian Aid. He joined with Captain Althorp to form the forerunner of the Christian Aid.

Rev Douglas Lister served at Inverurie Auld Kirk till 1967. He then served at Largo and Newburn Parish Church from 1967 till 1986 when he retired.