DOWLING, John

Known as: 
Johnny
Rank: 
Company Sergeant Major
Unit / Base: 
3 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Durham Light Infantry
Service: 
Army
Number: 
4458341
Honours & Awards: 
Born: 
Saturday, July 12, 1919
Died : 
December, 1993
Place died: 
Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool
Age: 
74
John Dowling MM, No.3 Commando
Corporal John Dowling was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service, during which he was wounded, at Agnone, Sicily, and the bridge at Malati (3 Commando Bridge).  He was later wounded serving with 3 Troop on 7 June 1944 at Normandy, France.
Recommendation
"On the night of the 13th-14th July 1943 at Agnone, Cpl. Dowling exposed himself fearlessly in the final stages of the invasion of the landing craft while manning a Vickers K Gun. He fired many magazines and accurately directed fire at enemy pill boxes. On arrival at Punte Del Malati with his section, he rushed and captured a pill box being wounded during this assault. He continued to operate cheerfully and efficiently showing fine leadership during the disturbance."

Former pupil of Webster Road Council School, Wavertree, Liverpool. 
Dec. 1942 Weymouth, fought in a boxing and milling tournament against No.4 Commando.
Mar. 1943 participated in the Garrison tournaments whilst the Commando were on Gibraltar.
Final commando rank - Company Sergeant Major.
Post war member of the Commando Association from Woolton, Liverpool.
 
Sources
London Gazette 36217 page 4663.
Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO373/3/664.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/67 (Sicily).
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/76 (Normandy).
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 98 (1994).
Report on his award in the Liverpool Echo newspaper 3 June 1944.
Boxing Contest Programme in Gallery.
Storm from the Sea, author Brig Peter Young.
[Image] Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2, author Brig. John Durnford-Slater.
 
Note
The 1939 Register shows date of birth as 12/9/1919. Registers of deaths transcript shows 12/7/1919.
 

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