British War Medal 1939-45 : Lieutenant M H MacDowell, 2/21 Battalion

Place Asia: Netherlands East Indies, Ambon, Pulau, Ambon
Accession Number REL/02986.004
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Medal
Physical description Cupronickel
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1946
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

British War Medal 1939-45. Impressed edge with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Murray Hay MacDowell was born on 8 January 1913 in Armadale Victoria. He studied at Brighton Grammar School, and in 1937 enlisted with the Melbourne University Rifles. MacDowell was employed as a bank clerk at the English, Scottish and Australian bank. Rising to the rank of corporal with the militia, MacDowell enlisted in the AIF on 5 June 1940. He was given a commission and posted to the 2/21st Battalion. The 2/21st Battalion was an infantry battalion raised for service as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, it was formed on 11 July 1940 at Trawool in central Victoria as part of the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division. On 23 March 1941 the whole battalion began the overland journey to Darwin, where they trained until 9 December 1941. It was subsequently deployed to Ambon as part of Gull Force in December 1941 following the Japanese invasion of Malaya. Gull Force was sent to defend the island’s harbour and air strip however, it was subsequently captured despite determined resistance, surrendering on 3 February 1942. Most members of the battalion became prisoners of war, and a large number died in captivity. Of an original strength of 1131, 779 men of Gull Force died during the war. Lieutenant MacDowell died of illness on 21 July 1945 whilst a prisoner of war at Ambon. He was 32. He is buried at Ambon War Cemetery in Indonesia.