| Regimental number | 1408 |
| Place of birth | Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales |
| School | Sydney Grammar School, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Age at embarkation | 25 |
| Next of kin | J A Dowling, 113 Pitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Driver |
| Unit name | 301st (Mechanical Transport), 8th Company, Army Service Corps (17th Divisional Ammunition Park) |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 25/98/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Captain |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 2nd Squadron, Royal Air Force |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular |
'Early in 1917 he was flying in his Aeroplane with an observer, some five miles within and 8000 feet above the German lines in the Somme area when his machine was shot and inuured by an enemy Anti-aircraft gun. The steering gear of his machine was put out of order and one of the wings of it seriously damaged, so much so, that the aeroplane at once commenced to nose dive and had every prospect of crashing to earth within the German lines, but by reason of his skilful manipulation of the temporary ....(following words unreadable) crawled out on to the broken wing laying on his stomach there, the machine was brought into fair control, and ultimately landed within the British lines, but was broken to pieces, both his, and the Observer's lives were saved though they were much shaken. After a years rest in England he again went to France on active service, and then lost his life as above stated. The observer was also subsequently killed in action.' Details from Father. |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Cambrai, France |
| Age at death | 28 |
| Family/military connections | Brother: [1235] Lt Max Russell Laidley DOWLING, 4th Bn, died of wounds, 30 July 1918. |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
