Personal info

  • Name: John Noel DOWLAND
  • D.O.B: 6th Nov, 1914
  • D.O.A: 1st Jun, 1940
  • D.O.D: 13th Jan, 1942
  • Award: George Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Immingham and the Humber River, Lincolnshire 11 February 1940 and June 1940

11 February 1940 and June 1940

More details about:
The Second World War 1939 - 40 

On 11 February 1940 the steamship SS Kildare, a grain carrier, arrived at Immingham, North Lincolnshire. While at sea it had been attacked by a German plane. One bomb had exploded in its cargo and another, which had failed to detonate, had lodged in the afterdeck cabin. Civil Armament Instructor L H Harrison and Flight Lieutenant J N Dowland, both from RAF Manby, five miles east of Louth, and another civil instructor, W C Thompson, were sent to deal with it. Harrison and Dowland rendered the bomb harmless. Dowland performed a similar action on a trawler in the Humber in June 1940.

Citation

 In February, 1940, Squadron Leader Dowland succeeded in removing an enemy bomb from a steamship. The bomb was extremely difficult to inspect and handle as it was wedged with its nose penetrating through the main deck. In June, 1940, this officer performed a similar duty with the same efficiency and promptitude on board a trawler. He has displayed conspicuous courage and devotion to duty in circumstances of exceptional danger and difficulty. 

The London Gazette of 7 January 1941, Numb. 35037, p. 149

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