| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 401671 |
| Unit # | 4th |
| Resident | Thamesville |
Born in Howard Twsp., Kent Co. ON., the son of George Washington and Hannah (listed as Next of Kin) Dowd, of Thamesville, ON. A single farmer, living in Thamesville but employed by David N. Fysh, of the River Road, Howard Twsp.
Attestation: 14/10/ 1915 at London, ON. age 18 yrs, height 5’ 5”, to the 70th Bn. Later transferred to the 33rd Bn. for overseas. Napoleon trained in England and went to France 22/06/1916 and went through two engagements before being KIA 8/10/1916.
A letter dated 7/12/1916 from Captain & Medical Officer Earl Darius Hubble (later Major) CAMC., then attached to 1st Canadian Motor M.G. Brigade, 1stCanadian Division and also from Thamesville wrote the following:
Reference your enquiry concerning 401671 Pte. N. Dowd of this unit. Pte. Dowd went into action with his Company on Oct. 8th and while in the act of throwing a bomb, he was wounded and fell into the trench. Apparently forgetting that he had drawn the pin from the bomb, he put it into his pocket where it exploded and killed him instantly.
[the letter is signed]
- Rae, Lieut. Col.
Commanding,
4th Canadian Battn.
The “Battle of Ancre Heights” and the sticking point of that engagement was “Regina Trench” was fought by the Canadain Corp from 1 October until the trench was taken on the 8 October, 1916. There where seven men from Chatham or Kent KIA or DOW during this action. JRH for GOH.
Also found on the CVWM: an article [undated] in the London Advertiser reported that Pte. Dowd was Killed in Action. Another article that was found in his sisters album from an [unknown newspaper] but dated 3/12/1916 reported that a “Memorial service was held at the Methodist Church” and that the church was “suitably decorated for the occasion”. A sermon was conducted by Rev. T. T. George and the “Last Po
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Cenotaph | Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919, 11/11/08), RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2634-17, Item: 362595. PDF file at LAC B2634-SO17, IODE (P), M. Nichols, TH-EC |
| Height | 5'8" |
| Eye Colour | blue |
| Age | 18 |
| Complexion | fair |
| Hair | fair |
| Race | white |
| Birthplace | Howard Township |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Last Place of Employment | Farming for David N. Fysh, River Road, Howard Twp. |
| Marital Status | single |
| When Enlisted | Aug. 15 1915 |
| Where Enlisted | Thamesville, Ontario |
| Next of Kin | Mother; Mrs. Hannah Dowd, Thamesville |
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