DOWLING, Ralph James
| Service Number: | SX9866 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 July 1940, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Orroroo, SA, 5 October 1918 |
| Home Town: | Orroroo, Orroroo/Carrieton, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Ooroo School, Peterborough Convent & Sacred Heart College, Glenelg |
| Occupation: | Insurance Agent |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Egypt, 17 July 1942, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
El Alamein War Cemetery Plot A1, Row G, Grave 2, El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Marsa Matruh, Egypt |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Orroroo War Memorial, Orroroo and District Roll of Honour WW2, Orroroo and District Roll of Honour WW2, Somerton Park Sacred Heart College Honor Roll WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 30 Jul 1940: | Involvement Lieutenant, SX9866, 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 30 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, SX9866, 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion |
Newspaper Story - Trove
Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA : 1919 - 1950), Friday 28 August 1942, page 2
Late Lt. Ralph Dowling
Born at Orroroo, on the 5th. of October, 1917, Ralph James Dowling,
who was killed in action in the Middle East on July 17th, 1942, was the second son of Mr and Mrs W. C. Dowling, of Orroroo. He commenced his education at the Orroroo School and finished at the Peterborough
Convent and the Sacred Heart College, Glenelg.
After leaving college he helped his father at the Imperial Hotel, Orroroo, and for some time carried on a successful dry-cleaning business.
Before enlisting he was a collector and agent for the A.M.P. Society at Port Augusta and Whyalla.
He went overseas in 1940 as a Lieutenant in the 2/43rd Battalion and when news of his death came through on July 24th profound regret was expressed on all sides. ,
Ralph was very popular and widely known. He was keen sport and took great interest in golf. He improved quickly and was soon on a single figure handicap. Just prior to the war lie won the Club Championship of the Orroroo Club and followed it with a brilliant winning of the Upper North Open Championship.
He had a sunny disposition and was well-liked wherever he went. Many will miss him, but our hearts are sad for his loving parents.
Ralph was a good Catholic boy of a very devout Catholic family, and we feel sure they will find consolation in God's infinite mercy. May he rest in peace.
Amen
Submitted 17 July 2018 by Elizabeth Allen
Biography
Ralph was born as Raffaello James DOWLING on 5th October, 1918 in Orroroo, South Australia
His parents were William Cameron DOWLING and Rosalina Guiseppina FAVILLA of Kirkcaldy, South Australia
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