Thomas William Dowell
From Our Contribution
 "Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire" p.141 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Canningdale, Western Australia |
| Death | 5 Sep 1915 |
| Place of Death | South Midlands Casualty Clearing Station near Albert, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 Years, 5 months |
| Description | 5'10¼" (1.78m) tall; weight 150 lbs (68 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | timber worker |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Joseph Richard Dowell |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4781 |
| Date of Enlistment | 23 Dec 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement; transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 1 Apr 1916 - 25 Apr 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A38 Ulysses |
| Fate | Died of Wounds received at Mouquet Farm 5 Sep 1916 |
| Monument |
Armadale (Bedfordale panel) Bedfordale Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
He is listed as William Thomas on the AIF website
Following his arrival at Alexandria in Egypt he was sent to the 3rd Training Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, midway between Cairo and the Canal Zone for 6 weeks.
Travelled to France on HMT Huntspill, embarking in Alexandria on 7 Jun 1916 and disembarking in Marseilles on 14 Jun 1916.
A week later he was taken on strength along with 108 other reinforcements by the 51st battalion at Bonneville north east of Amiens. Between the 1st and 4th days of September 1916 the 51st Battalion was involved in an attack on Mouquet Farm which was eventually repulsed by the enemy, with the unfortunate members of the 51st Battalion shelled by both sides. On 4 Sep 1916 Thomas, while working as a stretcher bearer received shell wounds to his side.
"Private W.T. Dowell from No 5 Platoon was fatally lashed about the head and body by shrapnel as he ran into a dug out."[1] Badly injured, he was admitted to the 2/1 South Midland Casualty Clearing Station on 4 September, where he died the next day. His mother later received a letter from the Sister who cared for him.
DOWELL.--Died of wounds in France on September 5, Private T. W. Dowell eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Dowell, of Bedfordale and brother of Mrs. L. W. Pridmore, Hope Dale and Mrs. C. Rowan, Moore street, Perth; also Hettie, Edward, Cyril, Queenie, Oliver, Jack, Kitty, Lily, and Louie. Gone but never will he be forgotten. He hath done what he could for his King and country.[2]
DOWELL.--In loving memory of Private T. W. Dowell died of wounds in France September, 1916. His duty done. Inserted by his loving friend, Lily Withers.[3]
DOWELL.-In loving memory of Private T. W. Dowell, 51st Battalion, who died of wounds in France September 3. 1916, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Dowell. Bedfordale. One year has passed, our hearts are sore, As time goes on we miss you more. Gone is the face we loved so dear, Silent the voice we long to hear. -Inserted by his loving parents, brothers, and sisters.[4]
Notes
Buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, France - Plot IV Row A Grave 18. Son of Joseph Richard and Sophy Jane Dowell, of Bedfordale, Western Australia
References
- ↑ For King and Cobbers p. 176
- ↑ "Family Notices". The West Australian. XXXII, (4,534). Western Australia. 12 October 1916. p. 1. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Family Notices". The West Australian. XXXII, (4,534). Western Australia. 12 October 1916. p. 1. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Family Notices". The West Australian. XXXIII, (4,813). Western Australia. 5 September 1917. p. 1. Retrieved 22 June 2017 – via National Library of Australia.