|
Letters
Captain J. C. K. Dowding Royal Naval Reserve
Its a long shot but I wonder if I might ask you a question please. Do you think that the person you describe below: Commodore J C K Dowding led convoy P.Q. 17, consisting of 36 heavily laden Merchant Ships out of Reykjavik, on the 27th June, 1942. Their cargo contained 297 aircraft, 594 tanks, 4246 military vehicles, both lorries and gun carriers, and 150,000 tons of military stores and general cargo; it was both a large and important load, designed to assist in rearming the Red Army. On your web site on the following page: http://www.ahoy.tk-jk.net/Underwater/7Russianconvoys.html Is the same person I have listed as C/O of the Prince of Wales Sea training School at: http://www.pwsts.org.uk/athestaff.htm Like I say its a long shot. best regards, Andy Gale online editor Prince of Wales Sea Training School (Hostel) http://pwsts.org.uk Sponsored by the British & International Sailors Society http://biss.org.uk
When I called the leader of convoy PQ 17, Commodore, I was of course refering to his function in leading the convoy as opposed to the Escort Commander. In 1941, Captain J. C. K. Dowding Royal Naval Reserve, is listed as the Commodore of a small convoy of only 6 ships he led to Archangel. The Officer you refer to with the same name and initials is listed as a Commander in 1945. I would be doubtful they are one and the same officer, unless in 1941, my Captain Dowding is in fact acting as such in that rank, and was a substantive Commander, and post war reverted to that rank. Have you any idea if your Commander J. C. K. Dowding was a Reserve Officer? You pose an intriguing question which I am unable to give you a definitive answer on Andy. Nice to hear from you. For Andy Gale, I have just had this message about Commodore J C K Dowding, which should help with your question about Commander Dowding to me.
Best regards,
There was only one JCK Dowding. At the start of WW2 he was a Commander RNR with seniority 30.6.33 and was in command of HMS 'Mona's Isle' an Auxilliary Armed Boarding Vessel. He was awarded a DSO for services at Dunkirk. He was promoted to Captain RNR 31.12.40 and in 1942 with the Temporary Rank of Commodore 2nd Class RNR he was the Commodore of Convoy PQ17 for which he was awarded the CBE and he kept the Temporary rank until 1946 when he retired as Commodore RNR. At Normandy he is listed as a Staff Officer to the Flag Officer Assault Area and in the Navy List July 1945 he is listed as Captain RNR (Commodore 2nd Class) (Acting) and is in the Sea transport Department List as Principal Sea Transport Officer for the British Army of Occupied Germany. In addition to the CBE and DSO he was awarded the RNR Decoration, Mentioned in Dispatches and wasa member of The Order Of the Crown of Belgium. There is also reference in another site which I cannot substantiate to Commodore Dowding, Royal Navy in WW2, and there was only one, as being a 'key member of Churchill's War Staff'. There is mention of Dowding in the site for PWSTS and it lists him as Commander. He was a Commander before the war but from 1919 he worked for the Orient Line, being promoted to Staff Captain in 1936. I have no idea if he was also involved then with PWSTS. It is possible that the mention is post war and a misprint of his rank as I am sure that PWSTS would be more than happy to have such a distinguished officer associated with their establishment. It certainly looks as though it was the same person. With best wishes,
Here is a photo of Convoy PQ 17 which Commodore Dowding commanded. I am still looking for a photo of him. Mac.
Convoy PQ 17 which Commodore Dowding commanded Mac
TK, I was seeking approval to use a picture of German JU 88's attacking convoy PQ17. Have now gone to the actual artist with the same question. Mac.
October 4, 2003
I would appreciate a link to your site, or any other references to my site www.oldgloryprints.com , in case someone is interested in purchasing copies of the print.
Thank you for your approval to use your painting Arctic Encounter, very kind of you. Sincerely, Mac
Sandy, May you havean enjoyable and safe Christmas and a productive 2004. Best regards,
|
