Pte 24066 Edward Dowds

• Age: 37
• From:
• Regiment: 13th Kings
• Died on Friday 24th November 1916
• Commemorated at: Richhill Presbyterian Churchyard
  Panel Ref: 52

Edward Dowds was the son of John Dowds and his wife Sarah. He had siblings: William who died on 06th December 1876 aged 9, James who died on 19th December 1876  aged 4, Mary who died 16th July 1896, aged 18. Henry who died at the Somme on 01st July 1916, aged 35 and Alexander Earls who died 18th August 1940, aged 71.

Edward's medal roll shows service overseas with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment, however SDGW and CWGC show that he died whilst serving with the 13th battalion K.L.R.

His War Gratuity calculations of £9 means that his attestation was pre conscription and was around March 1915 so that it seems that he enlisted into the 18th Battalion (Pals) K.L.R  in Liverpool which implies he was living and working in Liverpool in 1915.

He died of wounds at 2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol on 24th November 1916, aged 37. 

His death was reported in the Londonderry Sentinel, Saturday, November 25, 1916:

DEATH FROM WOUNDS

DOWDS-- November 24, 1916, at Military Hospital, Bristol, from effects of wounds, Edward Dowds, King's Liverpool Regiment, son of the late John Dowds, of Richhill, county Armagh.

The Belfast News-letter dated 30th November , 1916 reported his funeral:

MILITARY FUNERAL AT RICHHILL,  

On Wednesday the remains of the late Private Edward Dowds, King's (Liverpool Regiment), who died in hospitalat Bristol from wounds received in action, were interred in the family burying ground attached to Richhill Presbyterian church. The funeral took place with full military honours, a firing partycomposed of men of the Royal Irish Fusiliers being in attendance. The deceased, who was a son of the late John Dowds, Principal of Ballinahinch National School, served through the South African campaignwith the Yeomanry. and prior to the present war was an accountant on the Buenos Aires and Rosario Railway, which position he vacated and came home at his own expense to join the colours on the outbreak of war. Another brother is missing since 1st July.       

He now rests at Richhill Presbyterian Churchyard in County Armagh.

Edward earned his two medals, the British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

His brother, Private 23822 Henry Dowds was killed in action on 01st July 1916 whilst serving with the 9^th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.  Henry's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. 

We currently have no further information on Edward Dowds. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.