Herbert Dowdall
Herbert Dowdall #310908
Herbert Dowdall was born on July 9. 1897 to Robert Dowdall and Sarah Legerwood in Scotch Corners. He was a fit 18 year old that had brown hair, blue eyes, and 5’3” inches tall. He had a medium complexion and single. He had a job as a clerk. He was also a member of the Church of England and served with the 3rd Division. He was the fifth of seven children including Hiram, Maud, Robert, Albert, Clarence, and Sarah J. His family lived near the Gardiners and Rathwells.
Herbert joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on Jan 17, 1916 in Ottawa and given regimental number 310908. He arrived in England on March 25, 1916 when he joined the 3rd Division Ammunition Column. He trained for three months and then was sent to France on July 13, 1916. He served in the field for four months before he was shot and killed on Nov. 9, 1917. During the war, Herbert saw some horrific battlefields and battles. He was one of the 16,000 men killed in the battle at Passchendaele.
Herbert Dowdall’s job was to deliver ammunition to the 3rd Division. It was doing this work at Passchendaele that he got shot most likely by a German sniper. At 5:40am on Oct 26, behind artillery fire, the Canadians moved to attack. The artillery barrage was not very heavy because only the guns standing on the newly constructed platforms were fired. Men struggled in the sea of mud, which was so bad some men actually drowned in it. For 48 hours, they tried to overrun the German positions. Defenses were strong, but the CEF was able to take some land and got to higher and drier areas. 2,481 men were lost. On Oct. 30, there was a second attack that launched more intense artillery and the infantry moved forward for almost 1000 yards. The men of the Third and Fourth Division were very heroic, but lost another 1,321 men. The First and Second Divisions who moved forward on Nov. 6 in a final assault on Passchendaele Ridge relieved them. By noon, they had taken the main strong points. On Nov. 10, the 7th and 8th battalions captured the Ridge in a final assault. Herbert served heroically at this attack on Passchendaele Ridge.
Herbert contracted rubella or German measles when he first arrived in England, but recovered after 12 days. He was shot in the right leg on Nov. 9, 1917 and sent to the Aldershot Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Herbert is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery. His grave reference is IX.C.22. The location of the cemetery is 5 kms west of Ypres. He is remembered on page 230 in the Book of Remembrance.
By Chloe Insley-Gallipeau
Herbert Dowdall was born on July 9. 1897 to Robert Dowdall and Sarah Legerwood in Scotch Corners. He was a fit 18 year old that had brown hair, blue eyes, and 5’3” inches tall. He had a medium complexion and single. He had a job as a clerk. He was also a member of the Church of England and served with the 3rd Division. He was the fifth of seven children including Hiram, Maud, Robert, Albert, Clarence, and Sarah J. His family lived near the Gardiners and Rathwells.
Herbert joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on Jan 17, 1916 in Ottawa and given regimental number 310908. He arrived in England on March 25, 1916 when he joined the 3rd Division Ammunition Column. He trained for three months and then was sent to France on July 13, 1916. He served in the field for four months before he was shot and killed on Nov. 9, 1917. During the war, Herbert saw some horrific battlefields and battles. He was one of the 16,000 men killed in the battle at Passchendaele.
Herbert Dowdall’s job was to deliver ammunition to the 3rd Division. It was doing this work at Passchendaele that he got shot most likely by a German sniper. At 5:40am on Oct 26, behind artillery fire, the Canadians moved to attack. The artillery barrage was not very heavy because only the guns standing on the newly constructed platforms were fired. Men struggled in the sea of mud, which was so bad some men actually drowned in it. For 48 hours, they tried to overrun the German positions. Defenses were strong, but the CEF was able to take some land and got to higher and drier areas. 2,481 men were lost. On Oct. 30, there was a second attack that launched more intense artillery and the infantry moved forward for almost 1000 yards. The men of the Third and Fourth Division were very heroic, but lost another 1,321 men. The First and Second Divisions who moved forward on Nov. 6 in a final assault on Passchendaele Ridge relieved them. By noon, they had taken the main strong points. On Nov. 10, the 7th and 8th battalions captured the Ridge in a final assault. Herbert served heroically at this attack on Passchendaele Ridge.
Herbert contracted rubella or German measles when he first arrived in England, but recovered after 12 days. He was shot in the right leg on Nov. 9, 1917 and sent to the Aldershot Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Herbert is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery. His grave reference is IX.C.22. The location of the cemetery is 5 kms west of Ypres. He is remembered on page 230 in the Book of Remembrance.
By Chloe Insley-Gallipeau