Dowling

Joseph Charles Dowling

Appears as:

Born:

Parents:

Unit:

No.:

Rank:

Died:

Grave/Memorial:

Dowling, Joseph C

21 September 1892, Knaphill, Surrey.

Joseph and Louisa (née Goodall)

1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)

407069

Private

20 May 1916, Ypres, Belgium, age 24

Chester Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Arrondissement Ieper,
West-Vlaanderen, Belgium: II. A. 7

Biography:
Joseph Charles Dowling was born on 21 September 1892, at Knaphill, Surrey. He was the son and second child of Joseph, an
attendant at Brookwood Hospital, and Louisa (née Goodall). Joseph had a sister and three younger brothers.

In 1911, Joseph was working as a golf caddy. In 1913, Joseph then a farm labourer emigrated to Canada with the aim to be ‘a
farmer’.

Joseph enlisted with the Canadian Infantry on 10th June 1915, at Niagara Camp near Niagara Falls. He then gave his occupation as
labourer. He stood 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 156 pounds; his complexion was described as ‘fair’; he had blue eyes and light
brown hair.

On enlistment, Joseph joined the 37th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.). He was later transferred to the 36th
(Reserve) Battalion, arriving in England on 28 June, and then to the 1st Battalion on 8 November 1915.

Joseph Charles Dowling was killed on 20 May 1916, during the prelude to the Battle of Mount Sorrel in the Ypres Salient. He is
buried in grave II. A. 7, within Chester Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

Chester Farm was the name given to a farm about 1 Km South of Blauwepoort Farm, on
the road from Zillebeke to Voormezeele. The cemetery, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens,
was begun in March 1915 and was used by front line troops until November 1917.

There are 420 Commonwealth service-men buried or commemorated in this cemetery.
Seven of the burials are unidentified, but special memorials commemorate six casualties
known or believed to be buried among them.

Joseph Dowling is also commemorated on the memorial tablet within Knaphill
Holy Trinity Church.