Willy Dowler
Gunner RMA/2559(S) H.Q. (Eastney Barracks)
Royal Marine Artillery

Division 33

Willy Dowler was the husband of Elsie Dowler, of 112, Tanygroes Street, Port Talbot, Glamorganshire and the son of Mrs Dowler of 32, Sherman Road, Reading. His tragic and accidental death was reported in the Reading Standard 18^th May 1918.

 “Death of Gunner Willy Dowler, son of Mrs Dowler of 32 Sherman Rd. at Royal Naval Hospital Haslar on May 9th.  He was residing with his wife at Southsea and admitted to hospital on May 7th with appendicitis.  The surgical operation was successful.  Complaining of pain he was given what was intended to be a sleeping draught, breathing became affected and eventually he died the following morning.

Cause of death was narcotic poisoning – an investigation revealed that he had been given nearly 1oz of opium which when mixed was to be taken in 25minim doses mixed with brandy!

The verdict was accidental death.  The coroner did not think any one was to blame criminally but an investigation into the carelessness to be left to the Inspector General. The deceased was 28 years old and buried with full military honours.  It is a pathetic coincidence that the deceased lost his  brother in law  in Salonika last May [1917], while his brother was killed in France in May this year [1918].”

 Willy Dowler is buried in a registered war grave number 12480 and this is marked with a CWGC war pattern headstone. 

George Thomas Dowding
Rifleman 370879
8^th London Regiment – Post Office Rifles

Division 2

George Thomas Dowding was the husband of Elizabeth Nellie Dowding, of 54, Katesgrove Lane, Reading.  Elizabeth Dowding was the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Brown.

 He died on 21^st February 1919 and was aged 30.

 Dowding’s grave is marked with kerbstones.  The grave has been buried for some time and as a result of this the name of George Thomas Dowding is also inscribed on a special memorial in the War Plot.  The grave was discovered again during the course of this research.

William George Dent
Gunner 125884
“Y” Battery, 2^nd Siege Brigade,
Royal Garrison Artillery.

 Division 58

William Dent is buried in the cemetery and his is a registered War Grave although the headstone is a private memorial.  Grave number 11151.  He died on 4^th June 1917 aged 35 years.

 The inscription on the headstone marks the sad end of a small family.  William Dent’s wife and young daughter are buried with him.  His child, Ivy,  died in 1908 aged 18 months and his wife Ethel, possibly because, by then, she had little to live for, died in 1922, there is no indication of her age.