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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Brian1 on Wednesday 21 September 05 19:37 BST (UK)
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Wonder if anyone can advise me how to trace the service records for Robert Dowling, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Service number 5406 serving in the Punjab, India from 1896 to 1901.
Can anyone also help with the medal he is wearing and also the crossed swords or rifles as well as the inverted chevron on his left arm?
Brian
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The medal is The India Medal 1896, the clasp should be either 'Relief of Chitral 1895' or 'Tirah 1897-98'. The 1st Gordons earned both clasps. If you are sure that he arrived in the Punjab in 1896 then this for Tirah.
This would mean that he was probably at Dargai when Piper Findlater famously won his VC.
Steve
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for the info. I have some of Roberts letters and in one dated 6th February 1899 he says he has just under 4 yeas service with the Gordons and goes on to say that he was not at Dargi, but got a medal and clasp in another action ( which he does not name ).
I understand he was either a light or middle weight regimental boxing champion.
Any idea about the crossed rifles and inverted chevron. I expect it would signify he was a marksman and perhaps a length of service in the Battalion.
Brian
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Nice to have the letter, a shame about Dargai though. The Gordon's casualties during the Tirah expedition also include actions at Chagru Kotal 20 October 1897 and several on the march from Bagh to Barkai 11 Dec. 1897.
Crossed rifles would be a 'marksman'. The chevron I am not sure about at this period, somewhere I have the dress regulations ...... somewhere.
Steve
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Thanks for the post Steve.
Much appreciation for the info you have given me.
Regards
Brian
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its a good conduct chevron,mack
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Thanks for that info Mack
Brian
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Hi
Just another thought - could the chevron be a service badge? - I have a picture of an ancestor in Royal Horse Artillery around the same time & the Military History Museum for the regiment told me that the same type of chevron was awarded after 5 years service, if this applied to Gordon Highlanders as well it might help date your picture a bit.
Osprey
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Hi Osprey,
Thanks for the info. I did at the beginning think it was connected with length of service and then Mack states its connected with good conduct. Could of course be a combination of both i.e. had to serve 5 years with a good record.
Thanks
Brian
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Hi,
Good Conduct Badges.
Inverted Cheverons worn just above the cuff of the left sleeve, indicating service and good conduct. each cheveron indicating a given length of sevice.
One = two years
Two = five years
Three = 12 years
Four = 16 years
Five = 21 years
Trevor
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Hi Trevor,
Thanks for the info. It has certainly cleared up the question about chevrons.
Brian
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brian,if he was the regt boxing champ,then he may be mentioned in the regts journals,most regts published a journal of some kind,mack
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Hi Manmack,
Are there any sites you know for regimental journals or do I just try a general search on google?
Brian
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Hi Brian !
You might try GWF and post a request - somebody there might just have it!!
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/
Annie
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Thanks Annie,
I'll give it a try.
Brian
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hi,my post is two-fold .....first just out of interest my ggrandfather appears to be photographed in front of the same backdrop as the chap above ,he was also in the 1st bn gordon highlanders ,serving in india(chitral).......but.......we have his records from his service in the H.L.I. from 1908 until 1918 but not his service in the gordon's (1895-1903 we think) any help would be appreciated...we know he was a sergeant when he returned but that's about it.
many thanks
golnia
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I wonder, since Robert was in the Gordon Highlanders, if he has fam,ily connections with NE Scotland (Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Morayshire)? I am searching for information on Edward Dowling, who was in Aberlour, Banffshire around 1916 - 1920. I cannot find a death for him in Scotland.
Alasdair
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Brian 1 The Photo you have of Robert Dowling is of my Great Uncle He was the son of Thomas & Sarah Dowling.
My Grandfather Thomas came to Boston around 1898. I have some copies of letter from Robert from India and the same photo as you. Peter
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hi just joined this website, to check out this picture of Robert Dowling, he is my Grandad, could I ask if Brian is a relation to Robert.
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My name is Peter in Boston. 1st if Brian has not yet contacted you then you should know that he is related to you. He is the grandson of Lilllian Dowling who I believe is your grandfather's younger sister. Thomas Dowling My grandfather is Robert Dowling's older brother.
Brain is a great source of information and will be happy to hear from you. I am also happy to read your note. I always wanted to learn more about my Great Uncle Robert Dowling my e-mail is (*) I look forward to hearing from you
Your great great cousin Peter
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Brian - Robert's service papers (4 pages) survive in the National Archives and are available online at Findmypast.
Briefly, he was born in Liverpool and enlisted there on 23/7/1895 with a declared age of 18 years 1 month. He was a labourer. He was 5'4", weighed 127 pounds and had a chest measurement of 33 inches. His complexion was fair, eyes blue and hair sandy. He had an indistinct tattoo on his left arm and scars on his left hand, left forearm, left eyebrow and left buttock and back.
He attested into the 2nd battalion on enlistment, was transferred to the 1st battalion 2/2/1898 and back again to the 2nd 12/10/1898. He was transferred to the Army Reserve 27/4/1903 and finally discharged 22/7/1907 after 12 years service.
He served in the UK 23/7/1895-27/12/1897 and 26/4/1903-22/7/1907 and the East Indies (i.e. India) 28/12/1897-25/4/1903. His service in India resulted in the award of the India General Service Medal with clasp Punjab Frontier 1897-98. His next of kin is shown as his brother Thomas of 26 Lemon Street, Liverpool.
The absence of the Tirah clasp on his medal confirms he wasn't at Dargai and, despite the Gordons' heavy involvement in the Boer War, he didn't serve in the South Africa either.
David