As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today.
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This is the tale of two Dubbo brothers: Edward Dowling, known as ‘Ted’, and Vivian Dowling, who went by ‘Claude’.
The sons of Martin and Ada Dowling, Ted and Claude were 24 and 21 respectively when they enlisted in the First World War.
Both were drapers by trade, with Ted working at Mumford Brothers, then situated on Macquarie Street.
Like many others who expected the Great War to be over in a matter of months, Ted expressed in a letter to his mother that he expected to be home for Christmas…of course that didn’t happen.
Both Ted and Claude fought at Gallipoli and survived.
Ted was awarded a Military Medal for his gallantry as a stretcher bearer in Palestine, making four journeys into the open under heavy fire to rescue the wounded.
Ted remained in the East with the Light Horse Brigade, while Claude was called to France.
Claude too was awarded a military medal for attending to the wounded under heavy artillery fire, at a time when stretcher bearers were not available. He was promoted to Corporal and then Lance Sergeant.
Sadly Claude was killed in action in 1917, while Ted returned to Dubbo in June 1919.
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Commemorating those who served, and remembering those who died.
Lest we forget.