George Dare Dowell

George Dare Dowell, VC (15 February 1831 – 3 August 1910) was a Royal Marines officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

George Dare Dowell
Born(1831-02-15)15 February 1831
Fishbourne, West Sussex, England
Died3 August 1910(1910-08-03) (aged 79)
Auckland, New Zealand
Buried
Purewa Cemetery, Auckland
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Marines
Years of service1849–1872
RankLieutenant Colonel
UnitRoyal Marine Artillery
Battles/warsCrimean War
AwardsVictoria Cross

Military career

Dowell was 24 years old, and a lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery, Royal Marines during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).

On 13 July 1855 at the Fort of Viborg in the Gulf of Finland, when an explosion occurred in one of the cutters of HMS Arrogant, Lieutenant Dowell, who was on board HMS Ruby, took three volunteers and went, under very heavy fire to the assistance of the cutter. He took up three of the crew, and having rescued the rest and also the Captain of the Mast (George Ingouville), he then towed the stricken boat out of enemy gun range.[1]

Dowell later achieved the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel.

Death and legacy

Dowell died on 3 August 1910 in Auckland,[2] and is buried at Purewa Cemetery in the suburb of Meadowbank. He has an unusual gravestone.[3] His wife, who died six weeks after him, is buried approximately 10 metres (33 ft) to the right of his grave and her gravestone is in the same style.[4]

Dowell's Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea, England.

References
  1. "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 653.
  2. "Personal notes". Bay of Plenty Times. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 5535. 8 August 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  3. "Notable Graves". Purewa Trust Board. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  4. "Deaths". Auckland Star. Vol. XLI, no. 222. 19 September 1910. p. 10. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  • The Inscription
    The Inscription
  • The grave – note the plaque at the bottom of the grave
    The grave – note the plaque at the bottom of the grave
  • Plaque (unsure who placed this)
    Plaque (unsure who placed this)
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