Flight Sergeant Terence Eric DOWLING
12 Apr 1922 – 18 Mar 1944
Terence Eric DOWLING was born on 12th April, 1922 at Waikerie. He was the son of Terence George and Fanny Doris Dowling, of Waikerie. Terence Snr served in the First World War. Terry completed his schooling at WAIKERIE .
As soon as he could enlist, Terry, who had attended gliding training at Waikerie, joined the RAAF. He attested in Adelaide and then Terry completed his training and in late 1942 left Australia for overseas service in Europe. He was posted to the 44th Squadron, ROYAL AIR FORCE, flying with the Bomber Command. They were flying Avro Landcaster Bombers from Dunholme Lodge air base, Lincolnshire England.
The squadron suffered the third highest overall casualties of RAF Bomber Command. They were involved in missions over: Channel & North Sea, 1939–45; German Ports, Baltic, 1940–45; Biscay Ports, 1940–44; Ruhr, 1940–43 & 1945; Berlin 1940–44; Atlantic, 1942; Normandy, 1944; Rhine, 1940–44; Fortress Europe, 1940–44; and repeated raids over France & Germany.
Number 44 Squadron threw all its weight into Bomber Command’s relentless assault on German industry, and also raided ports and U-boat shelters, as well as the Peenemunde V-weapons experimental station and targets in Northern Italy.
Terry failed to return from Frankfurt after a night raid attack on March 19, 1944. He and his crew mates were listed as “Missing”. On the 8th March 1945 Dowling was listed “Missing presumed killed”.
Terry was interred in the HANOVER War Cemetery and is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial on the Roll of Honour. Terry is also commemorated with a tree and plaque here in the WAIKERIE War Memorial Gardens.
