Current Information:

Born-Lewisham

Enlisted-Woolwich

Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles

On 20th March, 1915, the 1st Royal West Kent battalion of 13 Brigade, 5th Division moved into a trench in the Ypres salient which was also partly occupied by the enemy and consequently known as International Trench, where they remained until relieved on 22nd March. On 21st March there was considerable sniper activity and throughout the day the battalion had to contend with trench mortar and light artillery fire. The same thing happened the following day, 22nd March, and in addition a small advanced trench, occupied by a section from A Company was practically destroyed by a trench mortars and one bomb must have landed directly in it because very little was found of the occupants. Frederick Dowdall died from wounds on 24th March, after having been sent to a  hospital in Paris and it is likely that he was wounded during this time in the trenches.