Ancestor Details
Ancestor's Name: Joseph Wilson Dowling
Ancestor's date of birth: 11/05/1862
Ancestor's date of death: 01/11/1925
Cause of Death: Heart Failure
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Was a rural worker in Queensland and with drought and Rural recession in Australia went to South Africa looking for work.
Service Number: 6790
Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia, Place of Enlistment: South Africa
Unit: Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 10/06/1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War service.
Murray Page: Not applicable, did not serve in an Australian unit
Contingent: Not applicable
Ship: Travelled privately to South Africa
Memorial details: Detail not provided
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Orange Free State, Cape Colony, Transvaal
Personal Characteristics: Height was 179 cm, fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair and his character whilst serving was described as very good. It would appear from information available that he might have put his age down to enlist.
Reasons to go and fight: Appears to have gone to South Africa looking for work possibly prior to the war. Note that his enlistment is confused. His actual name is Joseph but in the TMI roll images he is listed as George Wilson Dowling and his number is 6709. On his discharge certificate (below) he is G W Dowling but the number is now 6790
Details of service in war: Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry took part in the movement for turning the Boer position on the Biggarsberg and that at Laing's Nek. They suffered slight casualties on various occasions during these operations. In the despatch of 19 June 1900 Colonel Thorneycroft was again mentioned, as was also Captain Mann, killed in action on the 10. General Buller stated that on the 13 June he sent back the Telegraph detachment under an escort of 150 men of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry under Captain C F Minchin. "They were attacked by superior forces south of Gans Vlei, whom they drove off, and the waggons were brought safely back via Botha's Pass with the loss of only about seven miles of their line, which they were unable to pick up. I consider that Captain Minchin's dispositions were good". One officer and 2 men gained mention on this occasion. When General Buller moved north towards Belfast and Lydenburg, the regiment remained with General Clery in the vicinity of the Natal-Pretoria Railway, and had arduous patrol work and often severe fighting, as on 6th September, when 4 men were killed and Captain Molyneux and several men were wounded. General Buller spoke of the great value of their work in his final despatch. In again mentioning the Colonel, General Buller said: "This officer merits the highest commendation I can bestow. His talents both as an organiser and a leader of men are of the highest order". General Buller's 'tenacity' has often been referred to. Here he certainly stuck to his man, and Lord Roberts was to come round so far. In his final despatch of 2 April 1901, his lordship, referring to Colonel Thorneycroft, said: "Since coming under my immediate command he has gained my confidence as a most gallant and capable leader". In December 1900 the corps was railed from Standerton to Bloemfontein to strengthen the Thabanchu-Ladybrand line, and if possible to bar De Wet's retreat before the columns of General Charles Knox. De Wet broke through, but lost two guns and some waggons of ammunition (see South African Light Horse). On 16 December Kritzinger and Hertzog, with about 2000 men, entered Cape Colony, and among other troops Colonel Thorneycroft's men were railed to the Colony, where they took part in endless skirmishes arid pursuits. On 25 December Lord Kitchener wired that the corps had occupied Britstown unopposed. The Boers retired in the direction of Prieska, and a few days later the corps was reported by the Commander-in-Chief to be pursuing a body of the enemy in the Carnarvon district. In February De Wet himself entered the Colony, but by the splendid exertions of the numerous columns was soon driven out again, having left behind him all his guns and practically all his waggons. The corps took a prominent part in the pursuit between 14 and 24 February, and had casualties on several occasions. During March and April 1901 Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry were operating in the east of the Orange River Colony, at first south of Bloemfontein and afterwards about Brandfort, surprising and capturing on their farms by night many armed Burghers who, having been disbanded from De Wet's commandos, were living at their homes. In April Thorneycroft dispersed a 'minor gathering' about Winburg. He was discharged eventually in 24 April 1901 at Capetown as medically unfit.
Service and life after the Boer War: No details provided.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Robert W Dowling, Popanyinning WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand SonName of Descendant: John Chopping, Pawtella TAS
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand sonName of Descendant: Roberta Watts, Pingelly WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand DaughterName of Descendant: Maurice Chopping, Bayview NT
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
