William Dowling (VC)

William Dowling
Born	c. 1825 Thomastown, County Kilkenny
Died	(1887-02-17)17 February 1887 (aged 61-62) Liverpool, England
Buried	Liverpool RC Cemetery
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	British Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	32nd Regiment of Foot
Battles / wars	Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross

William Dowling VC (c. 1825 – 17 February 1887), born in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Dowling was approximately 32 years old and a private in the 32nd Regiment of Foot (later the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when he was awarded the VC for the following deeds during the Siege of Lucknow:

For distinguished gallantry on the 4th of July, 1857, in going out with two other men, since dead, and spiking two of the Enemy's guns. He killed a Soubadar of the Enemy by one of the guns. Also, for distinguished gallantry on the 9th of the same month, in going out again with three men, since dead, to spike one of the Enemy's guns. He had to retire, the spike being too small, but was exposed to the same danger. Also, for distinguished bravery, on the 27th of September, 1857, in spiking an 18-pounder gun during a Sortie, he being at the same time under a most heavy fire from the Enemy.

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He was later promoted to sergeant and died in Liverpool, 17 February 1887.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum in Bodmin, Cornwall.^[2]

Listed in order of publication year

• The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
• Clarke, Brian D. H. (1986). "A register of awards to Irish-born officers and men". The Irish Sword. XVI (64): 185–287.
• Ireland's VCs - (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Liverpool VCs (James Murphy, Pen and Sword Books, 2008)

• Location of grave and VC medal (Liverpool)