MacDougall was born in
Lerwick, the son of Major Peter MacDougall, a schoolmaster at the Central Public School, and his wife Florence. After leaving school he worked for the
Union Bank of Scotland, before joining the
Royal Flying Corps as a cadet in 1917, He was confirmed in his rank and appointed a flying officer on 23 August. MacDougall was posted to
No. 24 Squadron RFC. He was reported as being wounded in action in early November 1917, but gained his first aerial victory on the 15th of that month, flying an
Airco DH.5 single-seat fighter, driving down out of control an
Albatros D.III over
Diksmuide. MacDougall was awarded the
Military Cross, which was
gazetted on 10 May 1918. His citation read: :Temporary Second Lieutenant Peter Aitken MacDougall, General List and Royal Flying Corps. ::"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He always showed great initiative and skill in attacking enemy aircraft, and drove down or destroyed several enemy machines. On one occasion while on patrol he encountered three enemy two-seater machines, and, though his engine was giving trouble, he attacked them single-handed and drove one of them down out of control, having shot the observer. On another occasion, after driving down an enemy machine, he attacked and silenced a battery of six guns which were firing on our machines. His example of pluck and determination was of the utmost value to the squadron." MacDougall was eventually transferred to the RAF's unemployed list on 29 April 1919. He then returned to his career in banking, working for the
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank in London, China, Thailand, the
Malay States, and
Ceylon. He retired in 1951, and settled in Cape Town, South Africa, where he died four years later in 1955. ==References==