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Albert Owen Dowse - Information

Albert was born and raised in Picton. When the war began, he was living at Clear View in Picton, while his family resided on Argyle St. Albert found employment as a motor mechanic. Albert went to Liverpool to join up on the 21st of February 1916, aged 20. He worked in the Field Hospital at Liverpool Depot, and was then made a Driver with the 9th Field Ambulance. He left for war service on the HMAT Argyllshire, which departed Sydney on the 11th of May 1916.

Albert landed in England, where he immediately went to work transporting wounded and sick men to various hospitals. On the 9th of August, he was appointed Motor Driver, and then Corporal a day later. He was then shipped to France in late November. A month later, he was transferred to the 3rd Division Supply Column. On the 31st of August 1917, he reported to an aid station with trench fever. At the end of September, he was evacuated to England to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol. By the end of the year, he was feeling better. However, he was granted lighter duties, assigned to Australian War Records Section in December. In March 1918, he was again transferred to the 3rd Division Motor Company, and returned to France in July. He was then posted to the 4th Motor Company in September. Albert transported men and material along the front. On the 14th of January 1919, he was promoted Temporary Sergeant and Sergeant on the 22nd of March. Albert helped to pack up men and equipment for some time after the war ended. He was finally sent home on the 9th of January 1920.