Andrew Logan McDowell MC
Obituary August 12 1952
The death at Gore on Saturday afternoon of Mr Andrew Logan McDowell M.C. removed a prominent
local resident who had give outstanding service to his country as a soldier and later to the Gore
Returned Services Association. Mr McDowell had been one of the leading figures in the Gore RSA
during the past 30 years and had devoted a great deal of his time to the interested of returned
servicemen who were less fortunately placed than himself. He announced his retirement from the
executive this year, and in recognition of his services he had been recommended for an N.Z.R.S.A.
award. He had a distinguished military career in the First World War rising to the rank of Major and
winning the Military Cross for gallantry in action. Mr McDowell was born at Gore 68 years ago and
was the eldest son of Mrs and the late Mr William McDowell of “Riversmead:. East Gore . He was
educated at the East Gore School and subsequently he took up work on the home farm until his
departure for overseas. Mr McDowell developed a keen interest in Military affairs early in Life and as
a young man linked up with the Gore Volunteers as a private. Winning rapid promotion and
eventually being commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant. This training was to stand him in good
stead in later years where he saw service overseas with the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
He enlisted for service soon after the outbreak of hostilities and went overseas in 1915 with the New
Zealand Rifle Brigade the original “Dinks” with the rank of Lieutenant. In France he proved himself a
popular officer and a fearless leader, winning the highest respect of the men who served under him.
In the Battle of Messines he was then a Captain- he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in
action and after he was wounded he was invalided out of the line to take up a position on the
headquarters staff of the Expeditionary Force at Brockton in England. He served there for 18 months
and returned to New Zealand in November 1919.After his return to civilian life he took over a
property at Pukerau, which he farmed successfully until his retirement to Gore a few years ago.
One of Mr McDowells main interested in life apart from his home, was the Returned Services
association. Within a few days of his return he linked up with the Gore branch of the R.S.A being one
of the early members and in the following year he was elected to the executive. With the exception
of a break of two years when he withdrew from Office because of ill-health he served continuously
on the executive of the Gore R.S.A for 30years and he was president for two terms (in 1921-22 and
again in 1939-40) and vice-president for three terms. At the conclusion of the last financial year he
intimated that because of ill-health he would not seek re-election.
Mr McDowell was a indefatigable worker for the rights of returned servicemen and most of his
leisure time was devoted to the affairs of the Gore R.S.A. For many years along with the late Mr
Peter Stewart, he visited sick ex –servicemen at their home and in hospital, his cheerful and friendly
manner helping man comrades over a difficult period. For many years he commanded the Anzac Day
parade at Gore and also assisted every year with an address at some of the district services. When
the Second World War broke out in 1939 Mr McDowell although 56 years of age offered to serve his
country again in any capacity in which he might usefully contribute to the war effort. However on
account of his age his enlistment was not accepted. His eldest son Logan, enlisted about the same
time and was killed in action on Crete under circumstances which showed him to be the same
fearless soldier as his father.
An outlet for Mr McDowells sense of patriotism and duty to his country was found when the Home
Guard was formed as the war situation deteriorated. Mr McDowell had a big part in the organisation
of the Home Guard in this district and was commander for the Gore battalion for about a year.
During the war years he was also R.S.A representative on the eastern Southland Production
Committee.
Mr McDowell took a keen interest in public affairs in the district for many years. He served for more
than 20 years as a member of the Pukerau School Committee acting as secretary for a long term and
he was also connected with the Pukerau branch of the Farmers union. Other organizations were the
Gore and Surrounding Districts Early Settlers Association and the Loy United Gore Lodge,. He was a
member of the Presbyterian Church. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1933.
Mr McDowell married Miss Elizabeth Margaret Pullar of Gore and he is survived by His wife and
remaining son John “Gordon” McDowell and his family.