Hugh Dowding’s Parents & Siblings

Arthur John Dowding (1855-1932) was one of 10 children, educated at Winchester College and then New College Oxford. He obtained a teaching post at Fettes College in Edinburgh and in 1879, with a friend, established St. Ninian’s School in Moffat. He had become aware that wealthy families in Edinburgh regretted the lack of a nearby quality preparatory school for boys awaiting entry to Fettes. Arthur married Maud Tremenheere (1855-1934) in 1880, they had 4 children, all of whom were born in Moffat.

• Hugh Caswall Tremenheere (1882-1970) – See Exhibition Panels.

• Hilda Maud Camilla (1884-1975)-In WW1 she served with the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in Italy. Trained as a Physiotherapist & Masseuse  (Certificate 3573 awarded in 1916). Did not marry & cared for Hugh and his children after the death of his first wife.

• Arthur Ninian (1886-1966) – embarked on a Naval Career aged 14. Went on to become Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Ninian Dowding KBE CB. He married Kathleen Charlotte Hamilton Drummond in 1915 and the couple had 1 child – Arthur Denis Caswell who was killed in action in France 1940, serving as a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Tank Regiment. Following Kathleen’s death in 1961, Arthur married Penelope Statter 3 years later.

• Kenneth Townley (1889-1979) – Became a Solicitor. Awarded his Aviator’s Certificate by the Royal Aero Club in October 1915- enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps where he became a Captain, although promoted to Major in the RAF his military career was not successful. Married Kathleen Marjorie Kingsford Wilson in 1926. Kenneth also served in RAF, on legal duties, in WW2.

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