Hello

[Matthew john dowds]

My name is Matthew john dowds my grandfather served in the regiment . I am trying to trace his service. all I know is his name Cyril john dowds I do not know his date of birth or his army number can any one help me please. I know he was in the army before ww2 started . he spent his 18 or 21 birthday in India .he was with the bef and I also know he served in burma wher he cought  malaria I think twice . my dAd said he also went back to Germany on d day . Any help would be greatly appretiated

[charlie]

Hello Matthew, welcome to the forum.
As your Granfather enlisted pre war I suggest you contact the Regimental Archives which hold the enlistment books, which if he is listed will provide his service number.

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/archives/manchesterregiment

Once you have his service number you can apply to the MoD for his service record.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

I would suggest before you contact the archives that you at least try to establish his date of birth.

Charlie

The only Cyril John Dowds I can find was born in Down Patrick 19.08.1908 and died in Manchester September 1977, possibly married Frida Cohen and lived in Stepney in 1947. Does this tie in with anything you or  your father know?

[Matthew john dowds]

That's him I didn't realise he was that old . Wher did you find this and thank you .

[charlie]

You are welcome. The information all came from the births, deaths, marriages, electoral rolls etc records  on "Ancestry"

Charlie

[mack]

hiya matthew.
cyrils father[your great grandfather]was also in the manchesters,he was sgt 11458 john dowds,19th manchesters,he was the battalion cook,enlisted 19-9-1914,discharged 22-1-1915,he then went to Ireland and joined the royal irish rifles as sgt 4501 john dowds,he had previously served in the irish guards before WW1.
occupation moulder
address 53 Clifton street,miles platting

when he married your great grandmother at st.silas church openshaw on 25th December 1902,he was based at the tower of London with the irish guards,his best man was sgt/major 1062 joseph plested.2nd Manchester regt.

he died on 6-12-1915,and is buried in the soldiers plot in Belfast city cemetery.plot H.grave 533

mack

[charlie]

John Dowds died post discharge, he had been discharged from the Royal Irish Rifles on 30.11.1915.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/660756/DOWDS,%20J

Charlie

[Matthew john dowds]

Was it normal for soilders to move around like this . Why would he have been dischcharged then die a week later could he have been wounded or ill , yesterday i new vertically nothing about  my grand father or great grand father now I have a list of questions as long as my arm . Looks like I have a grave to visit as well thanks you for helping me . Can any one tell me what uniform the solider in this picture and if this picture could be my great grandfather

Edited to turn the photo.
Cliff

[charlie]

Your Great Grandfather is recorded as having died, which normally means he died of an illness.

He had enlisted aged 18 into the 2nd Bn Royal Irish Rifles in 1892, service number 3308. He served in the Boer War as a Sgt and was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with bar South Africa 1901. His service number with the Irish Guards was 1124. He was admitted to the Royal Hospital Chelsea as a pensioner on 19.10.1911 and is recorded as a Sgt Cook, service number 8288, Royal Irish Rifles.

The marvellous photo you have posted is a Sgt in the Manchester Regt pre 1914. The Sgt had served in Egypt and India. The Medals he is wearing are the Egypt Medal 1882, India General Service Medal and the Khedives Star, which would make him a member of the 2nd Bn. The medals could only be earned before your Great Grandfather enlisted so it cannot be him. I think it is probably Sgt Major Plested when he was a Sgt.

Charlie

[Matthew john dowds]

Is it normal to have served that many years , wish I could have met these men . Here is the other picture of a soilder that I have


Edited to turn the photo. I have also tried to enhance it, not very good at it though. Sorry it took so long I had to reduce the enhanced photo 3 times before I could save it.
Cliff

[charlie]

Matthew,
A soldier could serve up to 22 years in the army. John Dowds was appointed Cook Sgt on 20.09.1914 and reverted to Sgt on 14.12.1914. He was discharged from the Manchester Regt as "Not likely to become an efficient soldier" his conduct was assessed as "very fair"

The second photo does not give any clues only that the uniform is one that was worn in a warmer climate - India, South Africa etc. I do not know how good the original photo is, but a high resolution scan of just a button may be of help.

Charlie

[Tim Bell]

John Dowds Pension Record shows he enlisted in RIR 23/2/1892.  Previously served in 4th Militia Bttn. Posted to 2nd Bttn  and appointed L/Cpl 16/1/1893. Convicted for Drunk (hard to read) 2/2/1893. Returned to duty as Pte 4/2/1893.  App L/Cpl 24/12/1893. Good Conduct pay 24/2/1895. Promoted Cpl 19/11/1897. Extended Service to 12 yrs 23/11/1898. Promoted Sgt 22/10/1899.
Transfer to 1st Bttn Irish Guards (he was 5' 7" on discharge) 17/9/1901.  Posted Sgt 18/10/1901.  Reengaged at London for 21yrs 6/2/1903. Appointed Sgt Cook 17/12/1904.
Posted Sgt 5th RIR 12/9/1906.  Sgt Cook 30/7/1908.  Discharged at own request after 19yrs 15/10/1911 in Downpatrick. Exemplary Service.  S Africa Medal with Bars for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal & S. Africa 1901 All with RIR. Long Service & Good Conduct Medal  (five GC Badges) .
Served at Home in Malta 2 yrs 1 m 1892-94, East India / India 4 yrs 3 m 1894/99,  Home then S Africa 1 yr 11m 1899/1901. Home thereafter.

[rafboy]

Charlie, there is a badge on the collar, I cannot make it out clearly though, my eyesight is not brilliant.
Cliff

Edit: Done what I can with the cap and collar badges and a button.

[Matthew john dowds]

I will try to take a better photo of the photo when o get on from work

[Matthew john dowds]

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[Matthew john dowds]

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