Orders, Decorations and Medals

CRIMEA 1854-55,3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Lieut. W.H. Dowling, 20th Foot) contemporary engraved naming in the style of Hunt & Roskell, the last clasp loose on ribbon as issued, together with a fine portrait miniature of the recipient in uniform, contained in an oval glazed frame, the reverse containing locks of his hair attractively set with his initials 'W.H.D.', the medal and portrait contained in a contemporary fitted case for display, and sold with an original newspaper cutting, the medal dark toned, extremely fine and attractive

The following information was taken from the accompanying cutting, the origins of which are unknown: ‘We deeply regret to observe in the list of killed at the battle of Inkermann, the name of Lieutenant W. Dowling of the 20th Regiment. This young officer will be remembered as having been resident here during last winter and summer, when he won the esteem of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance by his kind and gentlemanly manner. Lieutenant Dowling left this only in the month of May last to join his regiment, then about to embark for the East. In a letter written to his brother two days before he was killed, he said, 'If I survive, I will write to you directly after the action; but if not, know, my dearest brother, that I fell as I should, at the head of my company.' By the following extract from the letter of a fellow officer, dated Nov. 6, to Mr. Dowling's brother it will be seen that the gallant Lieutenant met his death where he most desired - 'You will see by the papers the day was a most fearful one. Your poor brother was killed while most gallantly leading and cheering on his company in a desperate charge. He was buried today within a few yards of Generals Cathcart and Goldie. His loss is most bitterly felt by every one in his regiment. It must be some satisfaction to you, though a sad one, to know how nobly he died. Poor William! he can have suffered little, for it was found that he had been shot through the head, and his death must have been almost instantaneous.’

William Dowling was the only officer of the 20th (East Devonshire) Regiment killed at Inkermann and, indeed, throughout the whole war, although a good many were wounded.