Regimental number | 3662 |
Place of birth | Port Pirie, South Australia |
Religion | Baptist |
Occupation | Store assistant |
Address | The Manse, Edwardstown, South Australia |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 20 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs M W Dowding, Edwardstown, South Australia |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | Infantry Brigade 7, Field Ambulance 7, Section B |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 26/50/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT Clan Mcewan on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Australian General Hospital |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal For conspicuous gallantry attending to wounded under heavy shell fire near Noreuil. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
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: |
Family/military connections | Brother: 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 |