1533 Private John Dowd MM
9th Battalion AIF
49th Battalion AIF
by Robert Simpson
With thanks to the State Library of Queensland
John Dowd was born in Ravenswood Queensland on 31st January 1892, a son to Patrick Dowd and Johanna Hogan. Patrick and Johanna and been married in Queensland on 3rd November 1889. He was one of ten children to them. They had James on 3rd September 1890, John, Margaret Ann on 1st January 1894, Hubert Patrick on 7th June 1896, Mary Bridget on 16th January 1899, Timothy Michael on 1 June 1901, Daniel O’Connell on 21st March 1905, Monica on 24th January 1908 and Joseph on 21st April 1911.In the 1903 electoral roll, they were living at Macrossan St Ravenswood and Patrick was a miner, with Johanna doing home duties. John Dowd was registered at Ravenswood State School on 19 January 1903 with admission number 2114. In that admission register, his father was recorded as a butcher. They were still at Ravenswood in the 1913 roll, with Patrick a lengthsman and John a miner. Due to an industrial strike in 1912 and then World War I, mining declined in Ravenswood and by 1915 the town was nearly deserted. Both were still recorded as living in Ravenswood in the 1919 and 1925 rolls, with other family members (Hubert Patrick and Mary), with the same occupations. Patrick may have died 1933 in Queensland, but more records are required to confirm which one is correct, as a few Patrick Dowd’s have passed away in Queensland. There are records for a Patrick Dowd working in the Queensland rail who was born in 1871, but they may not be this Patrick, more details are required.
On 14th December 1914, John enlisted as Private 1533 in the 9th Battalion. The 9th was the first battalion recruited in Queensland. He gave his occupation as railway employee, but there are no records for a John Dowd of his age in the railway. His records says he was with the 2nd and 3rd Reinforcements (with 2nd crossed out). He was a 22 year 11 month Natural Born British Subject, born in Evlinton, Ravenswood. Electoral rolls give his occupation as miner, with the earliest one in 1915 giving his address as Macrossan Street, living there with his mother and sister Margaret. The reference to Evlinton in his service records also seems interesting, as other people were living there in the 1913 and 1915 rolls. In the electoral district of Townsville, a John Dowd of Bayview Boarding House in Oxley Street, a railway employee, registered on 12th January 1915. John did enlist in Townsville in December 1914, but on 8th February 1915, he was at Enoggera, as he was appointed to 3rd Reinforcements 9th Battalion on that day in Brisbane. His physical description was he was 22 years and 11 months old, height 5 foot 6 inches, weight 9 stone 9 pounds, chest measurement 33 to 36 inches and he was of fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. A Medical officer examined his on the same day and passed him fit for active service. The Commanding Officer appointed him to the 3rd Reinforcements 9th Battalion on 8th February 1915 at Enoggera. He was not married and had never been an apprentice.
John Dowd embarked with the 9th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements. In the nominal roll, he was listed as Private 1533, aged 22, a labourer, single, of Macrossan Street Ravenswood. His father, P Dowd of the same address was given as next of kin. His religion was Roman Catholic and he joined on 14th December 1914. His rate of pay was 5 shillings a day. After embarking, he was taking 2 shillings, keeping 3 shillings in Australia and had a shilling deferred pay. They embarked on HMAT Seang Choon A49 at Brisbane on 13th February 1915. A sheet in his service record has his surname as Daird, which was crossed out and Dowd written.
John joined his unit at ANZAC on 6th May 1915. The 9th Battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line at Gallipoli and served there until the evacuation.
He was admitted to No 2 Field Ambulance on Lemnos with coryza on 11th December 1915 and sent to 3rd Stationary Hospital on the same day. He was discharged to Lowland Casualty Clearing Station on 18th December. A report from there shows he had tonsillitis. On 25th December, he was admitted to Anzac Base at Mudros. John re-joined his unit from the hospital on 27th December. Another entry has the date as the 28th. John arrived at Alexandria on 4th January 1916, after disembarking from the Grampian from Mudros.
On 22nd December 1915, Mr P Dowd of Ravenswood Queensland was sent a letter from Base Records stating: “I am directed to forward herewith the following extract from the Army Corps Routine Orders for 2nd July, 1915. “158 COMPLIMENTARY. The Army Corps Command has much pleasure in publishing the names in the attached supplement of Officers, N.C.O.’s and men, which have been brought to his notice for good service performed during the operations on our Right Flank on 28th June, 1915. He wishes to thank them for the good services they rendered, and to congratulate all ranks on the successful carrying out of the task allocated to them by the G.O.C.-in-Chief, which prevented the enemy reinforcing the Krithia position from troops opposite our front.” No. 1533 Private John Dowd, 9th Battalion. “After his company had withdrawn to safety, went out under heavy shrapnel and rifle fire to rescue a wounded comrade. On reaching the man, he found him dead. He then secured another wounded man, and got him to a place of safety, but only to find that he too was dead.” The above has been promulgated in Australian Military Orders No. 570 of 1915.”
John was transferred to the 49th Battalion on 27th February 1916 as part of the re-structure of the Battalions. Another entry has that he was transferred to the 49th Battalion on 25th February at Habeita and was taken on strength of the Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on the 27th. The Battalion then went to the Suez Canal, where they trained. From Alexandria on 5th June 1916, on the Arcadian, John proceeded to join the BEF, disembarking at Marseilles on the 12th. The first action the battalion was involved with was at Pozieres, where they were used on the extreme right of the line during the attack. They were involved with the battle at Mouquet Farm in early August, the first time they suffered heavily from German artillery, and although they captured the farm after a second attack, strong German counterattacks eventually forced them out. Due to their heavily losses, the 49th Battalion did not take part in any major attacks for the rest of the year, but when they were in the front line, they conducted patrols and raids.
On 12th August 1916, John was wounded in action in the field. On 14th August, he was admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station with a gunshot wound to the head and was transferred to A.T.9. He embarked on HS St David at Boulogne for England with a gunshot wound to the head on 4th September 1916, from the 13th Stationary Hospital. On 5th September, he was admitted to East Leeds War Hospital with a superficial gunshot wound to the head. He reported from furlough and was classified “A” at No. 1 Convalescent Depot at Perham Downs on 20th October 1916 and was marched out to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford on the 23rd. An entry in his AIF record stated identity established on 10th October 1916. Another entry on 6th October stated “Stralis Queried No Trace BA40”. A medical report shows he was wounded with a fragment of an H.E. shell at Pozieres on the right cheek, just below the ear.
His award of the Military Medal was published in the London Gazette of 27th October 1916, on Page 10486, position 77.
He was marched in to 13th Training Battalion at Codford from No 1 Com Depot AIF Perham Downs on 30th November 1916. John proceeded to France from Folkestone on 31st December 1916 on SS Invicta, marched in at Etaples on 1st January 1917, marched out on the 15th and re-joined his unit from wounds on 18th January 1917. The Battalion had endured a harsh winter at that time. As the Germans moved back to the Hindenburg Line, the 49th Battalion advanced until stopped by them when they reached the line.
As a Private in the 49th Battalion, he was sent to hospital in France as sick on 7th April 1917, re-joining his unit on 1st May 1917. His casualty form gives more details, stating he admitted to the 4th Australian Field Ambulance with trench feet from the field and was transferred to DRS. From the 56th Casualty Clearing Station, he was admitted to the 9th General Hospital with trench feet on 12th April 1917. On the 19th, he was transferred to and admitted to the 2nd Convalescent Depot. He was discharged to Base as Class A on the 21st. At Etaples on 24th April 1917, he was marched in to the 4th ADBD. He left there on 30th April and re-joined his unit in the field on 1st May 1917. In June, they were involved in the Battle of Messines, where heavy casualties were inflicted on them by German pillboxes, and also by their own artillery during a German counterattack. In September, they were involved in actions at Polygon Wood.
Base Records sent his father, at the usual address, a letter on 25th April 1917, stating “I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Second Supplement No. 29794 to the London Gazette of 20th October 1916, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 1533, Private J. Dowd, 49th Battalion.” “HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to the undermentioned soldier :- No. 1533, Private JOHN DOWD.”
He was detached to rest camp from the field on 1st October 1917, re-joining his unit in the field on 23rd October. He had leave to England on 1st December, returning on the 19th.
In 1918, the 49th Battalion was involved in stopping the Germans who had much initial success in the Spring Offensive in March 1918. They repelled an attack at Dernacourt after facing a very strong attack, but suffered many losses. The Battalion was also involved in taking Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918. Their last action was in September 1918.
On 26th September 1918, he was paid on in France. John re-joined his unit on 23rd October. On 1st December 1918, he went to England on leave and re-joined his unit in the field on the 19th. Entries in his service record show he was with the 49th Battalion on 24th February and 16th June in France. On 28th October 1918, he went on leave from the field to the United Kingdom, returning on 15th November.
He was transferred to UK from the field on 3rd December 1918, marching into the Base at Havre on the 7th and marching out for Australian Drafts on the 8th. John returned to Australia for special 1915 leave on 14th December 1918 as a Private with the 49th Battalion on the Burma. His father was notified of his return on 15th January, and he disembarked at Melbourne on 29th January, before going onto Queensland on another ship. He was discharged in Queensland on 12th April 1919. His medical report states he was discharged as fit.
A note in his record was sent with gaps in it to be filled in. It had Private 1533 J Dowd 49th Battalion, to which was added “full name John”, next of kin was his father Mr P Dowd of Ravenswood Queensland and he enlisted in the 1st Military District.
There is a record in his service file, and entry for 2071 Ammunition Carrier H. P. Dowd of 2nd Infantry Regiment AN&MEF who embarked on Kanowna at Thursday Island on 16th August 1914. That is all the record has, apart from a cover card which has J. P. Dowd 2071 A&MEF and indexed written on it. There is also a page which noted more than one period of service and has “A 2071 Pte Dowd, John Patrick N&MEF” and B 1533 Pte. John Dowd ‘MM’ 49 Btn”. Are they getting his brother Hubert Patrick and John mixed up? John has no middle name recorded elsewhere. Hubert seems to have had no other military service. Or are they all Johns’ records?
There is also a typed record is in his file, detailing time in 2nd AN&MEF (no attestation paper received). It reads for No 2071; “Particulars available :- Mobilised for War Service in August, 1914. Embarked at Cairns, Queensland, on 8.8.14, for Thursday Island, (War Station) Garrison Duty. Enlisted 14.8.14, for service outside Australia. Re-embarked at Thursday Island, on 16.8.14, Troopship “Kanowna”, to take part in the capture of German New Guinea. Taken on strength of the A.N.& M.E.F., vide Routine Order No. 1, dated 6.9.14. Returned to Townsville on 18.9.14, on account of the trouble caused by the firemen on troopship. Did not participate in the capture of German New Guinea. Discharged on 18.9.14. Classified as eligible for British War Medal, vide B.R.M. 52/572.” A handwritten note at the bottom reads NOK Mr P Dowd Macrossan St Ravenswood.
On electoral rolls, from 1915 to 1930, John is listed as living at Macrossan Street, Ravenswood with an occupation listed as labourer. His address or occupation do not change. These include when he was away during WW1, so possibly he did not notify the Electoral Commission of changes of address. After 1930, he is not to be found in any rolls, until 1958.
On 13th December 1937, the Repatriation Commission in Brisbane asked Base Records for a list of records for his service, and they wrote his details as J P Dowd with the two service numbers and N&MEF and 49th Battalion.
A report of a Medical Practitioner upon the incapacity of John for the Repatriation Commission shows that he had manic depressive psychosis, the assessment extent of which was 100%, and he was unemployable. He was admitted to Goodna Mental Hospital on 20th November 1937. He was noted as single, 45, a quartz picker and Roman Catholic. A couple of reports from Doctors in Townsville say he was “very strange in manner, very depressed about his health, troubled by his “psychical faults” and is subject to delusions. Peculiar depressed manner speech tends to become rambling Discourses on religious matters to a great extent and states that he has a psychical basis for his trouble.” Nurses also noted he spends “a lot of time apologising for things he does not do. Is usually depressed most of his time and occasionally becomes profane when upset.” His physical condition on admission was weight 108 pounds, height 5 foot 6 inches, hair brown and grey, hearing good, head shape normal, eyes blue, and everything else seemed fine. His previous history was “As child had nervous shocks also at war. Fell from a tree also fell down stairs. Broken down in health when he returned from war and not normal in mind. Standing on his head etc.” There was no family history of insanity or alcoholism. The history of his present attack read “Immediately after war and slowly. Appetite was normal but he frequently pested to do penance for his own sins and those of others. Restless and nightmares after war. This is the second attack since the war. Was insulting but never violent. Form of mental disorder – Delusional Insanity. Bodily condition – indifferent.” The report continues with different dates recording what he was like then in 1937 and 1938. In 1943 and entry shows “He will converse briefly but has little spontaneous speech. Shows mannerisms – clean and tidy – fully orientated for time and place. Good hard worker.” In 1946 it was noted he had “Physical condition poor. Pale looking.” A comment in 1947 showed he had “adjusted to institutional life”. A comment in 1949 said he had “Seen the result of high explosive shells.” Another comment noted he was “Still reliable worker”.
His mother wrote to the Repatriation Department on 23rd November 1937 from Macrossan Street Ravenswood, asking “I, JOHANNA DOWD, mother of ex-No 1533 Private John DOWD, M.M 49th Battalion, A.I.F. desire to inform you that he, JOHN DOWD, is now an inmate of Goodna Mental Asylum, and ask that your department accept his condition as being due to or attributable to war service. In support of this application I enclose herewith statements from those who knew him before the war and since his discharge from the A.I.F. The Queensland Police, acting on behalf of the Home Dep’t., demand the sum of £20 and £1 per week from me in respect of costs and maintenance for my son is going to and being maintained at Goodna. I cannot pay. I do not think it is just to ask me to pay under the circumstances. Before the war my son was healthy in mind and body. He returned affected in mind and body. He served honourably and well. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery and attention to duty. He was wounded in the face. He suffered mentally on account of the horrors of war and the awful sufferings inflicted on his fellowmen, for whom he always entertained a Christian regard. He is now mentally incapacitated on account of his war service, and I ask your department to accept responsibility for his condition.” Lieutenant William Byrne wrote that he knew John since 1909 and on seeing him in 1919, he “noticed a great change in him”. Having also served, he knew of many men affected as John was. Three people also signed a letter stating that they had known him from his boyhood and the family and that “he was quite normal when leaving from the front and that it is only since the war he showed any sign of mental weakness.”
A letter from Mr George Keyatta (MLA and Member for Townsville) in 1941 to the Repatriation Commission pointed out there was no question that the war was the cause of his “unfortunate illness” and that his two sisters could not take care of their mother, a bedridden cripple of advanced years, due to their profession as Sisters of Mercy, and so needed to apply for a war pension entitlement for their mother. A comment on the letter stated that the opinion of the committee that war service was not the cause. An appeal in 1941 for Johanna, held by three Lieutenant-Colonels, came to the conclusion manic depressive psychosis not attributable to or aggravated by war service. She had claimed that John suffered mental incapacity from neurosis and shock due to war service. One of his sisters, Sister Mary Anthony had asked Mr Keyatta to help them and act as their Advocate. The original claim was in November 1937 and had been fully investigated by the Repatriation Commission, but rejected in 1938, as the condition could not be connected to War Service. In December 1937 The Goodna RSL applied for a Service Pension on John’s behalf, and that was approved. Another letter from the MLA to Repat noted his mother’s name was Johanna Dowd of Macrossan Street Ravenswood and that John had served on Gallipoli and France. He was asking what he would have to do to secure help for Johanna. A letter in 1938 from Queensland Rail stated that he was “unable to trace an employee of this name as being employed at Ravenswood prior to enlistment in 1914.” But they had a record for John Dowd, born 31.1.1892 who was employed at Townsville on 13th July 1914 as a Porter and enlisted on 14th December. “He was re-employed as a temporary labourer in No.13 Gang, Cardwell-Innisfail on 26.6.25, and was paid off on 12.8.25, since which date he has not been re-employed.” Another letter from his mother in 1938 stated that after John returned in 1919, he was working at the gold mine in Ravenswood, and left due to a nervous breakdown and had not had permanent employment since. He did gold prospecting after that, when well enough, and lived with her and “suffered lapses of ill health & was greatly troubled with inflammation of his Ears especially the right having being wounded on the right side of the head while in action.” He had six weeks in Townsville hospital where he was certified “Mental” on 17th November 1937 and sent to Goodna Mental Hospital. She could not afford to pay for him being there, as she was only on the aged pension. A letter is in his file, from the head teacher of the school he attended to Queensland Rail on 28th November 1907, stating that John had been at the school for 5 years & he was “now top boy in my Fifth Class. He is exemplary in conduct and morals, has always shown great diligence in his studies & is quite obedient. In a position of trust, he will I am sure, prove trustworthy”.
An application form, dated 28th October 1949, shows that John had a service pension of 12 shillings 6 pence, but a war pension was rejected on 2nd August 1938. A handwritten note at the bottom says “Previous decision in respect of manic depressive psychosis adhered to”.
In 1953, a letter was sent from Repatriation Department to The Public Curator, advising them that the “ex-serviceman, at present an inmate of the Brisbane Mental Hospital, Goodna, I wish to advise that maintenance in this case is not the responsibility of this department.” Another letter showed John was transferred from the Brisbane Mental Hospital on 9th May 1953 to Wacol Repatriation Pavilion.
A Repatriation Department Entitlement Card, which was dated 27th January 1961, shows Private 1533 John Dowd MM 49th Battalion was a service pensioner with disabilities due to war service, and was eligible for treatment to all disabilities with a list of exceptions that were pre-printed on the form. They included mental diseases. Under another heading on the card which says disabilities not due to war service was written manic depressive psychosis.
John was living at Eventide in North Sandgate, with a William Dowd also there, by the 1958 electoral roll. A form, headed The Mental Hygiene Act of 1938, seems to contraindicate that, saying that “DOWD John (Prospector), a patient admitted into the Brisbane Mental Hospital on the 20th day of November 1937, WAS DISCHARGED THEREFROM to Eventide, Sandgate.I.S.Q.Off Leave. Dr. Hopkins, Eventide, Sandgate. on the 26th day of April 1960.” In 1961, John signed a form that he desired to be placed on the list of Doctor A D Tonkin of Brighton, while he was in Eventide. The 1963 electoral roll has just John living at Eventide, Sandgate North and he had no occupation.
On 29th September 1964, John passed away in Eventide Nursing Home at Sandgate North of arteriosclerosis. He was buried in Nudgee Cemetery on 30th September in location A4-03-29A. The headstone reads “Pray for JOHN DOWD RAVENSWOOD Died 29th September 1964. R.I.P.”
The Public Curator Office in Brisbane wrote to Central Army Records Office in Melbourne on 20th January 1965, asking re “JOHN DOWD – I.29278 – E.19. I am administering the estate of the abovenamed, who died on the 29th September, 1964 at Eventide, Sandgate North, Brisbane. I understand the deceased may have been in the Ninth Battalion, Anzac Unit at Gallipoli, and I wondered if the deceased made a Will. If so, could you please advise me as soon as convenient.” Handwritten notes on the letter are MM, 49th Battalion, will returned 30th June 1919 and discharged 12th April 1919. A reply to them, dated 25th January 1965, read “Your letter I.29278 – E 19 of 20th January 1965, is acknowledged. According to records held at this office the Will of the abovenamed was returned to him subsequent to his discharge from the Australian Imperial Force on 12th April 1919.”
With his family-
Johanna lived in Macrossan Street Ravenswood up to and including the 1943 roll and probably passed away in Brisbane on 20th April 1947, as a record for that shows her father with the surname Hogan. She is buried in Nudgee Cemetery. There are a few Dowds buried there, including John.
James died on 27th October 1940 in Queensland, but his record also has a middle name of Patrick.
Margaret Ann married Bathurst Hedlem Neal, a horse-breaker, on 7th February 1916, but passed away on 4th September 1916 in Queensland.
Hubert Patrick died on 19th October 1948 in Queensland.
Mary Bridget married Thomas Willows Drewery in 1922. She died in Queensland in 1970.
Timothy Michael died on 5th December 1918.
Patrick Joseph Sarsfield died on 12th February 1910.
Daniel O’Connell served in WW2 as QX62807 (Q109547), enlisting on 30th November 1944 in Hughenden. His next of kin was listed as Hubert Dowd. He was discharged on 7th March 1946 as a Private in the 16th Works Company. He died in 1971 in Queensland.
Monica died on 24th December 1919 in Queensland.
Joseph enlisted in WW2 as QX54403 (Q144767), giving his name as Joseph Patrick Dowd. He enlisted at Ravenswood on 19th June 1943, with next of kin Herbert Dowd (Hubert?). Joseph was discharged on 16th April 1946 as a Private in the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion. He died in 1977 in Queensland.
The museum only has his Military Medal, which is on loan from the Maryborough RSL, with many thanks. His medals are MM, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
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