DOWSE, Ralph Kell
| Service Numbers: | 404136, 402814 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Operational Training Units (RAF) |
| Born: | Toowoomba, Qld., 15 January 1916 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | North State School, Toowoomba Grammar School |
| Occupation: | Audit Clerk |
| Died: | Accidental, Egypt, 21 May 1941, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt 4 C 4, Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Ismailia, Suez Canal, Egypt |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Toowoomba Grammar School R K Dowse Memorial Scholarship Board, Toowoomba Grammar School WW2 Honour Board, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW2, Toowoomba St. James' Roll of Honour, Toowoomba WW2 Roll of Honour Book, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial) |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 404136 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement 402814, later RAAF 404136 (24/5/1940) | |
| 24 May 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404136, Operational Training Units (RAF), Brisbane, Qld. | |
| 24 May 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 404136 |
Help us honour Ralph Kell Dowse's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Arthur Llantiff Dowse and Lilian Maud Dowse, of Toowoomba, Queensland
Sergeant Ralph Dowse was an Air Observer and member of the crew of a No. 70 Middle East Operational Training Unit Blenheim Bomber L8481 that crashed 12 miles west of Ismailia, Egypt, on 22nd May 1941. The aircraft was detailed for a formation flying practice commencing at 0700 hours and upon returning from the practice the pilot had difficulties with the engine and the aircraft was unable to keep flying and crashed to the ground. The other two crew members survived the crash but Sergeant Dowse was thrown from the aircraft and died instantly.
Toowoomba R.A.A.F.
Man Killed
TOOWOOMBA, May 23. — Word has been received in Toowoomba that Sergeant Observer Ralph Kell Dowsen, of the R.A.A.F., 25, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Dowsen, of Isabel Street, Toowoomba, has been killed as the result of air operations.
Sergeant Oberver Dowse was educated at the North State School and afterwards at the Toowoomba Grammar School.
For five years he was on the staff of Messrs. Thompson and Sharland, chartered accountants, Brisbane, and, prior to enlistment was with Messrs. Griffin and Ralph, Brisbane. His only brother, Edgar, is serving with the Transport Section of the A.I.F. Abroad.