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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 798

The campaign group of four awarded to Private C. P. T. Dowding, Rifle Brigade, whose account of the siege of Ladysmith gives a fine insight

Queen's Sudan 1896-98 (4696. Pte. C. Dowding. 2/R. Bde:); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast (4696 Pte. C. P. T. Dowding. Rifle Brigade); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4696 Pte. C. Dowding. Rifle Brigade.); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed, minor contact marks to first three, very fine (4)


Christopher Peter Thomas Dowding was born around 1878 at Stroud, Gloucestershire, the son of labourer George Dowding of Brigend, Stonehouse. A shoeing smith by trade, Dowding attested at Eastington for the Rifle Brigade on 12 November 1896. Post to Malta from 4 September 1897-11 July 1898 and Egypt from 12 July 1898-20 September 1898, he took part in the Nile Expedition of 1898 and successfully passed his swimming certificate. Transferred to South Africa on 2 October 1899, Dowding was sentenced by Field General Court Martial to 84 days' field punishment No. 1 in consequence of falling asleep at his post whilst on active service. This was later remitted to 42 days after which he returned to duty on 26 November 1900.

On 23 April 1901, Dowding wrote home to his parents:

'B Company, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, Natal Field Force, South Africa.

Dear Mother and Father,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am getting on fairly just now, as I have just recovered from the fever. I have had now very nearly three months of it, and it has made me so weak that I can hardly get along. But I am getting better now, although I am still in hospital getting back my strength. It is coming back slowly. We had a very rough time of it through the siege of Ladysmith for nearly four months. The first part was all right, with the exception of a few shot and shell flying in amongst us. Of course you had to put up with that, but when the rations became short and we had to eat horse meat and one biscuit per man a day, it is not much for a sick man to live on. But I kept heart in hopes of being relieved, and as soon as the relief came we had plenty of food - full rations. I received the parcel all right and was very pleased with it, especially the tobacco. It comes in very handy at times, not having had a smoke for nearly two months. Thank all for sending it. I am glad to hear George (his brother) is going to have a rub at active service. I hope he will not get shut up like we were. Remember me to everybody. Write soon' (The Stroud News & Gloucestershire Echo, refers).

Having served once in military prison, Dowding faced a second term of 56 days for 'prejudicial conduct' whilst serving in Egypt. He returned home on 21 October 1904, having extended his service with the colours by a further 6 years, and married Margaret Barrett at Gloucester on 11 April 1909. He went on to serve in France from 9 November 1914 as Farrier, later Staff Sergeant in the Army Service Corps, before returning home to Awre Road, Blakeney, and working as the local village blacksmith. Dowding died in August 1937 at the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary in consequence of a long illness, his funeral being poignantly described in the local press:

'Mr Dowding was 57, had been a blacksmith in the village for a number of years, and his cheery smile and unassuming way had won the esteem of all with whom he had come into contact. The respect in which he was held throughout the entire district was manifest by the large number which attended the funeral.
The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack and a full-length floral tribute in the shape of a cross, was borne to the church by ex-Service men and immediately following the coffin was Mr. J. Hall carrying Mr. Dowding's fine array of war medals, Mr Dowding having served in in the Boer War and Great War. The Reverend L. Cook, vicar, conducted the Service at All Saints Church and at the graveside, and bugler O. Griffiths sounded "Last Post" as the coffin was lowered into the grave' (The Citizen, 25 August 1937, refers).

Sold with copied service record and research.


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Sold for
£520

Starting price
£280