Circumstances of Casualty: Aircraft was on transportation flight between Ketchikan and Annette Island. Apparently ran into a heavy snow storm and in attempting to land in Metlakatla harbor, the aircraft flew into the water, striking with the starboard float or wing first, cartwheeling on the starboard wing and came to rest on it’s nose in approximately ten to twelve feet of water. Position 50° 08’ N 131° 36 W – (Warburton Island)

BX March 27, 1943

Flt. Lt. Ian Dowling Killed on West Coast

Flight Lieutenant Ian M. Dowling was killed while on active service, according to an official telegram received early this morning by his widow, the former Miss Loretta S. Landymore.  The telegram, which was dated March 27, and sent from a West Coast station of the R.C.A.F., gave no details as to the nature of his death but stated that a letter follows.

As only son of John S. Dowling of this City, Ian had been with he Administrative Branch of the air force since November 26, 1940.  He began his training at St. Thomas with the rank of pilot officer, and in turn was stationed at No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School, Jarvis; the air force station at North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and then to the West Coast, where he had been serving since October, 1941. While at Jarvis he was promoted to flying officer, and to flight lieutenant while on the West Coast.

His work in the administrative branch proved of considerable importance as on March 5, 1943, he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff “for submitting a suggestion on a more economical and efficient distribution of stores from equipment sections to flights or sections, which is being adopted throughout the air force.”

A native of Brantford, Ian resided here continuously until his enlistment except for four years spent at the University of Toronto, from which he graduated in 1928 with the degree of Bachelor of Commerce.

From his graduation he was associated with his father’s firm, John S. Dowling, Limited, and at the time of enlistment was Vice President.

He was also active in the business life of the City.  He served as Director, Treasurer and Secretary of the Rotary Club; as a Director and Treasurer of the Y.M.C.A.; as a Director of the Board of Trade; as President of the Brantford Insurance Agent’s Association and as a Director of the Brantford Golf and Country Club. He was also a member of the Brantford Club and Upsilon Fraternity.

In religious matters he was a faithful member of Zion United Church.

Surviving besides his sorrowing widow are his elven-month-old daughter, Joan Frances, his father, John S. Dowling, residing at 84 Dufferin Avenue, and two sisters, Mrs. R.C. Williamson Richelieu, Quebec, and Miss Phyllis Dowling at home.

BX March 29, 1943

Six Die in Plane Crash – Flt.-Lts. Ian Dowling and Ernest Stapleford Two of Victims

Although no definite word has been received in Brantford concerning the nature of the death of Flt.-Lt. Ian M. Dowling, it is believed he lost his life Friday in Alaska in the crash of an airplane which took the lives of two other Air Force officers and three American U.S.O. hostesses. One of the officers trained here and has an aunt residing in Brantford.

A fourth R.C.A.F. man is reported missing.

The other two Canadian officers killed are believed to have been Sqdn.-Ldr. F.B. Curry and Flt.-Lt. Ernest Stapleford, both of Toronto. The later enlisted in the Air Force in December, 1941, and trained at R.C.A.F. stations at Brantford and Patricia Bay. His aunt, Miss Marion L. Stapleford, is a teacher on the staff of the Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School.

BX April 5, 1943
Dowling, Ian MacMillan (C3240)

Impressive Final Tribute Paid to Flt.-Lt. Dowling – Hundreds Attend Funeral of Brantford Son Killed on Active Service – Hundreds Attend Funeral of Brantford Son Killed in Active Service

Hundreds of citizens of Brantford joined with many relatives and friends from outside pointes Sunday afternoon in paying an impressive final tribute to Flight Lieutenant Ian M. Dowling, R.C.A.F., one of this City’s best known and most highly esteemed young men, who lost his life while on an operational flight in Alaska.

Zion Church, where the public memorial service was held, was filled to capacity with citizens representative of every phase of life, including many members of the armed forces. Hundreds of others lined the streets as the long cortege slowly moved along the streets to Greenwood Cemetery, where interment took place.

Flt.-Lt. Dowling was buried with full military honors.

The service at the church, beautiful in its simplicity, was in charge of Rev. Fred S. Dowling, Burlington, uncle of the deceased, who briefly but feelingly and eloquently spoke of the life and worth of his nephew, both as a civilian and as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. In the latter he had made a contribution to the service beyond the daily routine of his duties, so well and faithfully carried out.

Flight-Lieutenant W. Surman, Chaplain at No. 5 S.F.T.S., in the memorial tribute, brought words of great comfort to the bereaved and said: “We of the Air Force pay tribute to our comrade. He gave of his best in the service of humanity. His life ended at an early age, but he has gone on to a greater work. He liveth among us as one who served most worthily.”

Rev. H.A. Graham, Assistant Minister at Zion, offered a prayer, which contained many comforting passages for the sorrowing relatives.

Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed a guard of honor at the church; airmen marched on either side of the funeral carriage, on which rested the casket, draped with the Union Jack and the R.C.A.F. flag crowned with the deceased officer’s cap.

The long cortege was led by a company of airmen with arms slopped, marching slowly and solemnly to funeral music played by the Brass Band of No. 5 S.F.T.S. Then came the motor carriage containing the casket and flanked on either side by airmen who formed the escort party and guard of honor, and finally the motorcade containing the many mourners.

At Greenwood Cemetery the service was brief, concluding with the firing of three volleys over the grave where the dead airman lay.

The pallbearers were Lieut. Arthur James, R.C. Williamson, Montreal, William J. Moore, Gordon Duncan, George Clemons and Clyde Coffing.

The public service followed a private service for members of the deceased’s family, held at the residence of his father, John. S. Dowling, Dufferin Avenue.