The AIF Project

Kenneth Frank DOWDING

Regimental number3662
Place of birthPort Pirie, South Australia
ReligionBaptist
OccupationStore assistant
AddressThe Manse, Edwardstown, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinMother, Mrs M W Dowding, Edwardstown, South Australia
Enlistment date18 February 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameInfantry Brigade 7, Field Ambulance 7, Section B
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/50/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 31 May 1915
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT Clan Mcewan on 28 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll3rd Australian General Hospital
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


For conspicuous gallantry attending to wounded under heavy shell fire near Noreuil.
Recommendation date: 12 May 1917

FateReturned to Australia 19 April 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On May 5th 1917 Private DOWDING was attending a patient in the open under fire when a shell fell close alongside and killed the man he was attending. Another shell fell almost immediately in the middle of a stretcher squad coming to his assistance, killing one of the men and wounding another. Although severely shocked by the first shell, Private DOWDING with utter disregard to self at once went to the assistance of the wounded bearer though shells were falling in quck succession on the spot. He succeeded in rendering first aid the the wounded man, and with the assistance of Corporal SHAWYER and Private WATSON carried him to a place of safety. This act was performed when Private DOWDING was already greatly fatigued by long hours of stretcher bearing under very trying conditions. Although suffering from shock he was keen to continue at duty, and after being put off duty by Major CONRICK carried on once more shortly after. Signed statements of eye witnesses of the above are attached, and Major CONRICK who was in charge of bearers at NOREUIL has written an appreciation of his general good work and fearless courage.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Family/military connectionsBrother: 2140 Lance Corporal Alfred Ivan DOWDING, 3rd Machine Gun Bn, killed in action, 30 December 1916.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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