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James Dowling (1897-1917)


Easington man served with 6th DLI commemorated on the Arras memorial


James Dowling was born sometime in the year 1897, his father was William Dowling. He married Mary Ann McKenzie, and lived at the Easington Colliery where he worked as a coal miner. He later joined the army; enlisting at Seaham Harbor and was assigned to the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI).

6 DLI was attached to the 151 Brigade, and had several actions at famous battles such as the second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme. However, it would be at the Battle of Arras in April 1917 where James would make the ultimate sacrifice. The battle was part of a combined effort by the British and French to break the heavily fortified Hindenburg line; the British attacked at Arras and the French attacked the line further south. 151 Brigade operated south of Scarpe river (which cut the battlefield in half) and had success taking objectives on 14 April when 9 DLI managed to take the high-ground around the Village of Heninel. It was probably here that James was killed.

For his service he received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, and is commemorated on the Arras memorial in France.

Civil Parish: Easington

Birth date: 1897

Death date: 14-Apr-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 7 Tenth Street East, Easington Colliery

Employment: Miner

Family: Father: William Dowling
Wife: Mary Ann McKenzie

Military service:

1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental Number: 250955
Lance Corporal
Enlisted: Seaham Harbour
Disembarked: France

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Arras Memorial Bay 8
Church of the Ascension, Easington Colliery, Plaque
Bosnia Cemetery, Easington Colliery, Cross

Gender: Male

Contributed by Daniel Hyatt

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