Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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9595   Rifleman Thomas Dowdell
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 21/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 13/11/1896
Died: 26/11/1919 (Home)
Age: 23
Summary      
Thomas Dowdell was the son of Andrew and Mary Dowdell. Thomas was born in Magherafelt on 13 November 1896. After his father died the family moved to Belfast. Tommy Dowdell enlisted in August 1916 in Belfast. In October 1916 Tommy Dowdell was accidentally shot in the head during training. The Medical Officer was of the opinion that his injury would, in all probability, ‘interfere with his future efficiency as a soldier’. Tommy returned to active service and he was posted to France on 1 September 1917. He was wounded in the arm in December. He was sent home on furlough. He developed epileptic convulsions and syncope and died on 26 November 1919, having been wrongly declared by the Army to be a Deserter. In 1922, the Army Council acknowledged their error.
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Cemetery Details
Cemetery: Brookwood 1914-1918 Memorial
  Pirbright, Surrey
Grave Ref: No Ref
CWGC Casualty 75230255
Summary      
Brookwood is 30 miles from London (M3 to Bagshot and then A322). The main entrance to Brookwood Military Cemetery is on the A324 from the village of Pirbright. There is a direct train service from Waterloo to Brookwood Station from which there is an entrance to the cemetery. The 1914-1918 Memorial stands at the north-eastern end of the 1914-1918 Plot.
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Thomas Dowdall 1901 census lists Thomas as age 4 living with the Henry family at house 45 in Queen St, Magherafelt, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists Thomas Dowdall 1911 census lists Thomas as age 14 living with the Henry family at house 21 in Gracehill Street, Clifton, Antrim
3 Forum discussion (GWF) Date on which Rifleman Thomas Dowdell added to CWGC - 30/05/12
4 Forum discussion (GWF) Details of Rifleman Thomas Dowdell
5 Genealogy forum (ancestry) Details of Rifleman Thomas Dowdell
6 Genealogy forum (rootsweb) Details of Rifleman Thomas Dowdell
7 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
8 North Down and Ards War Dead Complete biography of Rifleman Thomas Dowdell
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023