Rifleman Benjamin Dowie (7018457) served with the Royal Ulster Rifles during World War Two. Born on 7th May 1896, he was the son of Benjamin Dowie and Susan Dowie (née Haycott) of Belfast, Co. Antrim.
The 1901 Irish census lists the family at 67 Everton Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim. Benjamin resides with his parents, elder siblings Sarah A Dowie, Thomas Dowie, Margaret J Dowie, Eliza Dowie, William John Dowie, and Edith Dowie, as well as younger siblings Albert Dowie and James HB Dowie. The 1911 Irish census lists the family at 28 Edenderry Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim. The oldest 4 children at this stage have left the family home.
He was the husband of Maria Dowie (née Caldwell) of 31 Harrison Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim. The couple married on 18th May 1918 at St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, Co. Antrim. At the time, Benjamin was a plumber’s helper living at 3 Midland Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim. They had 8 children; Agnes Dowie, Hugh Dowie, Benjamin Dowie, Alexander Dowie, James Dowie, Tommy Dowie, Billy Dowie, and Albert Dowie.
He died on 5th February 1969 aged 72 years old. His grave is in Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim.