Difference between revisions of "George Mouatt Dow"
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On the night of July 16/17, Hill 63, where the 46th Battalion were in the front lines, was heavily shelled for 4½ hours with gas shells, shrapnel and high explosives causing very few casualties. It follows that George was one of the casualties as no other action is mentioned in the 46th Battalion's War Diary for that day. | On the night of July 16/17, Hill 63, where the 46th Battalion were in the front lines, was heavily shelled for 4½ hours with gas shells, shrapnel and high explosives causing very few casualties. It follows that George was one of the casualties as no other action is mentioned in the 46th Battalion's War Diary for that day. | ||
| − | Red Cross file <ref> https:// | + | Red Cross file <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1035667 |title=Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files - George Mouatt Dow |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2018|website=Australian War Memorial |access-date=2 May 2018}}</ref>. witness statement by '''Cpl JPL Kenny''' |
<blockquote>''"I saw him killed on the Messines Ridge on Sunday night July 15th by a piece of shell. He was on fatigue work at the time, bringing up supplies to the front line. He had been under constant heavy fire for about four hours and was on his last trip when he got hit. He was given first aid and put on a stretcher to be taken to the Dressing Station, but died on his way down. He was buried at 11:00am the following morning in the Australian cemetery at the foot of Hill 63. The Rev Father Devine buried him. A cross was erected with his name and particulars on."''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''"I saw him killed on the Messines Ridge on Sunday night July 15th by a piece of shell. He was on fatigue work at the time, bringing up supplies to the front line. He had been under constant heavy fire for about four hours and was on his last trip when he got hit. He was given first aid and put on a stretcher to be taken to the Dressing Station, but died on his way down. He was buried at 11:00am the following morning in the Australian cemetery at the foot of Hill 63. The Rev Father Devine buried him. A cross was erected with his name and particulars on."''</blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 18:56, 3 May 2018
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Death | 16 Jul 1917 |
| Place of Death | Messines, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 9 months |
| Description | 5'5" (1.65m) tall; weight 116 lbs (52.6 kg); fresh complexion, grey eyes, and fair hair |
| Occupation | pastry cook |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | West Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr George Mouatt Dow (Snr) |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3137 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 46th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Dec 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Fate | Killed in Action 16 Jul 1917 at Messines, Belgium |
| Monument |
Armadale War Memorial (West Armadale panel)Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
War Service
Completed basic training only in WA before leaving for England where more advanced training was to be carried out.
On arrival in England, was sent to 12th Training Battalion at Codford for 2 months before travelling to France from Southampton arriving there on 29 May 1917.
Spent the best part of a month in the 4th Division's Base Depot before joining the 46th Battalion on 21 Jun 1917 at Doullieu west of Armentiès where it was resting and rebuilding, along with 92 other reinforcements.
On the night of July 16/17, Hill 63, where the 46th Battalion were in the front lines, was heavily shelled for 4½ hours with gas shells, shrapnel and high explosives causing very few casualties. It follows that George was one of the casualties as no other action is mentioned in the 46th Battalion's War Diary for that day.
Red Cross file [1]. witness statement by Cpl JPL Kenny
"I saw him killed on the Messines Ridge on Sunday night July 15th by a piece of shell. He was on fatigue work at the time, bringing up supplies to the front line. He had been under constant heavy fire for about four hours and was on his last trip when he got hit. He was given first aid and put on a stretcher to be taken to the Dressing Station, but died on his way down. He was buried at 11:00am the following morning in the Australian cemetery at the foot of Hill 63. The Rev Father Devine buried him. A cross was erected with his name and particulars on."
[If this is correct, than George died on the 16th of Wounds received the previous day, rather than KIA 16th.]
The Drill of the Foothills mentioned him in its 1917 Feb-Mar edition, but no details.
Buried in UNDERHILL FARM CEMETERY - Plot 1, Row "B", Grave 19. "Son of George Mouatt Dow and Margaret Lind Dow, of Seventh Road, Armadale, Western Australia. Native of Queensland." (The cemetery is about 1.5 km north of Ploegsteert, and 3 kms Southwest of Messines.)
Post War
George's mother Margaret was granted a War Pension of 40/- per fortnight from 28 Sep 1917.
References
- ↑ "Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files - George Mouatt Dow". Australian War Memorial. 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2018.