Harry Edwin Charles Dowland

Story:
Harry Edwin Charles Dowland was born in Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, on 21 Nov 1894 the son of Alfred Henry Dowland and Amelia Dowland (nee Adlem).  He lived his early life in Tollard Royal until he enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16 Apr 1913 as a Stoker (Service No. K18698).  He served in various ships and shore establishments during his service rising to the rank of Leading Stoker.  He was eventually discharged on 27 Mar 1920 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.  He also apparently served for a very short period during early 1921 but was finally released on 4 Jun 1921.   He married Elsie Olive Anna Antell at St. Rumbolds Church, Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 15 Apr 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Ash Tree Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Market Gardener and Roadstone Quarrier plus being a volunteer with the Shaftesbury National Fire Service.  He died at Cann Common on 19 Feb 1979 and was buried at Melbury Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 23 Feb 1979.