Ultimate Badass
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell VC, DSO awarded his Victoria Cross for valour in the presence of the enemy at Vimy Ridge. It was during this battle that Captain MacDowell would prove himself to be among the ultimate badasses of the Great War.
Early life of Thain Wendell MacDowell
Son of John Vincent MacDowell (1852-1894) and Eleanor Eliza Ireland (1863-1948). Eliza married James Ferguson Richardson (1870-1946) following John’s death. They would have one child, William Francis, Thain’s half-brother who died at the age of 20 on 1 February 1921.
Thain grew up in the Brockville area, and educated at Brockville Collegiate Institute. Attended the University of Toronto, where he joined the Canadian Officer Training Corps as an Officer Cadet of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.
Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada taken part in every Canadian military campaign and served with great distinction in the Great War and Second World War in which 7 men awarded the Victoria Cross.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1914 appointed a Provisional Lieutenant with the 41st Regiment (Brockville Rifles) on 9 November 1914. After 14 months with the Regiment, MacDowell enlisted in the CEF.
Enlistment of Thain Wendell MacDowell
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell enlisted 9 January 1915 and commissioned in the 38th (Ottawa) Canadian Infantry Battalion (now perpetuated as The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own)). Medical examination 26 March 1915, standing 5′ 9″ tall, 176 pounds, with ruddy complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair and 24 years of age at this time.
38th Battalion
Organized in January 1915 initially under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron MacPherson Edwards. Mobilized at Ottawa and also recruited in Ottawa and district (Brockville, Perth, Prescott and Alexandria). Draft of 5 officers and 251 other ranks sent to England on 24 June 1915.
Bermuda
The 38th Battalion and Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell embarked from Montreal 1 August 1915 aboard CALEDONIAN, and later disembarked in Bermuda 12 August 1915 with a strength of 35 officers, 959 other ranks.
England
The 38th Bn embarked Bermuda 30 May 1916 aboard GRAMPIAN, and later arrived in England 9 June 1916 with a strength of 35 officers, 1001 other ranks.
France
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell arrived in France with his unit on 13 August 1916 in the 4th Canadian Division, 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade (later reinforced by 7th Canadian Reserve Battalion).
Battle of the Somme
Badass Part I
“[Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell] won the Distinguished Service Cross for bravely sprinting up to three separate German machine gun nests along the Desiré Trench, face-kicking the s*** out of the gunners with a steel-toed boot embossed with the words “F*** the Kaiser”, and then subsequently capturing fifty-three prisoners who surrendered to him immediately after seeing him rabbit-punch a German machine gunner in the neck and explode his entire head into a fine red mist like a really disgusting water balloon.
During the fighting, he got shot in the hand but he didn’t even give a s***. He sucked the bullet out of his wound and spit it with such velocity that it ended up killing three guys, changing direction mid-flight like the Oswald bullet that killed JFK.”
https://www.badassoftheweek.com/macdowell
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell wounded 18/19 November 1916, admitted No 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, and later invalided back to the UK. With two superficial wounds to his left hand, discharged from hospital on 25 November 1916.
Distinguished Service Order
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell awarded the DSO 17 December 1916. A military order for officers only, and while normally given for service under fire or under conditions equivalent to service in actual combat with the enemy, awarded between 1914 and 1916 under circumstances which could not be regarded as under fire. After 1 January 1917, commanders in the field instructed to recommend this award only for those serving under fire.
Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron MacPherson Edwards
Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron MacPherson Edwards Commanding Officer of the 38th, also later awarded the DSO.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He organised his battalion for attack, and carried out a dashing assault in a snowstorm with conspicuous success. He set a splendid example of courage and initiative throughout.
London Gazette, 10 January 1917.
Edwards the youngest Canadian colonel in France during the Great War and mentioned in despatches three times. Also awarded the French Medal of Honour, the British War and Victory Medals and the Canadian War Medal.
Recovered from a bout of tonsillitis, MacDowell proceeded overseas to the 38th Battalion later on 20 January 1917, well in advance to prepare for the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Battle of Vimy Ridge
First Dispatch
10:30 a.m. 9/4/17.
O.C, 38th Battalion C.E.F.
Have been along the line. The dug out we occupy is at the corner of Cyrus and Baby, It has three entrances well distant from each other and will hold easily 250 men at the very least. A tunnel leads down towards out lines, which I did not explore. It has a winch and cable for hoisting. There are only 15 men with me of whom two are stretcher bearers. The rifles are one mass of mud, I have two Lewis Guns and only four pans. Both guns are out of action on account of the mud. We have a very few bombs as we had to bomb several dug outs.
The 78th I have no trace of but there are two German Machine Guns just in front of us. They are firing constantly. Snipers are also busy. We cannot locate them as yet. The 72nd are on the left and seem to be spread out fairly well.
The ground is practically impassible. His aeroplanes came over and saw a few of my men at dugout entrance and now we are getting his heavies from our right and his left. I have no N.C.O.’s whatever and unless I get a few more men with serviceable rifles, I hate to admit it, but we may be driven out. Three of the men are wounded as it is so I might as well tell you the facts of the case.
The runner has just come in with your message. We are in Baby Trench slightly to the right of Cyrus. I was wrong in my other message as to my location as I had just arrived and I will try to get in touch with Major Howland, but don’t like to leave here as mentioned above have not an officer or N.C.0. There are a lot of wounded out in front of here as I can see by the rifles sticking up.
“T. W. MacDowell”
His heavy battery from the right is working very well at present.
Captain.
O.C., “B” Company 38th Battalion.
Private James Thomas Kobus and Private Arthur James Hay
On 9 April 1917 at Vimy Ridge, France, Captain MacDowell, with the assistance of two runners (company orderlies, Pvts. James T. Kobus and Arthur James Hay, both of whom were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their part) reached the German position ahead of his company. After destroying one machine-gun nest he chased the crew from another. MacDowell then spotted one German going into a tunnel.
Private Kobus DCM would rise through the ranks to obtain a Commission. Private Hay, a native of Toronto, one of three brothers who enlisted for military service: Sappers Thomas Hay, Canadian Engineers, and Lance Corporal George Hay, Canadian Buffs. A younger brother, David Albert Hay served with the P.P.C.L.I., but discharged from France as underage.
Second Dispatch
2:45 p.m. 9/4/17.
O, C. 38th Battalion, C.E.F.
While exploring this dug out Kelty and I discovered a large store of what we believe to be explosives in a room. There is also an old sap leading away down underground in the direction of No. 5 Crater. This was explored down to a car, got no further as it may be wired.
Would you get in touch with Brigade as quickly as possible and ask that either a party of 176th or 182nd Tunneling Company come up and explore these. We have cut all wires for fear of possible listening posts. The dug out has three entrances so will accommodate easily 250 or 300 men with the sap to spare. It is 75 feet underground and very comfortable.
The cigars are very choice and my supply of Perrier water is very large. If I might I would suggest that you take it up with the Brigade that this place be occupied in strength as there is a great field of fire to the north and west as well as to the east. This you see makes it a very strong supporting post to our left flank, and I would strongly recommend that it be occupied by Brigade Machine Guns. I cannot locate them as I have no N.C.0.’s to leave in charge here to look for them myself.
It is quite alright for anyone to come up here. They are firing at us all the time with their heavy guns from the south east but I have no casualties to report since corning in except being half scared to death myself by a big brute. I cannot impress you too much the strength of this position and value of it as a strong supporting point to the left flank by which they will undoubtedly make their counter attack.
Observation is good hereon the whole far side of Lens and other villages. Battery positions can be seen. We have taken two machine guns that I know of and a third and possibly a fourth will be taken tonight. This post was a machine gun post and held by a Machine Gun Coy. I believe they were Prussian Guards. All big strong men who came in last night. They had plenty of rations but we had a great time taking them prisoners. It is a great story.
My two runners Kobus and Hay did invaluable work in getting them out of the dug out as we had to conceal the fact that we were only three in number, I don’t think they all got back though.
Please have these Engineers sent up at once to examine wire further as this is a great dug out and should not be destroyed. I believe the sap, runs into No. 7 Crater and might help in being an underground C T. There are a large number of wounded in front of here as I can see by the rifles stuck in the ground. I can’t think of anything further. Tell Ken to come up to tea tomorrow if it is quiet. Sorry to hear of C. O. and Hill [Captain Harold Frederick Hill] and the others.
“T. W. MacDowell”
Captain.
O, C, “B” Company 38th Battalion.
At the base of the tunnel, MacDowell was able to bluff the Germans to think he was part of a much larger force, resulting in the surrendering of two German officers and 75 German soldiers. MacDowell calmly looked over the room of angry gun-toting Huns, before turning around and yelling at the top of his lungs, “Third Corps! Fourth Corps! We’ve found them! All units proceed down the ladder and prepare to attack on my mark!”
Seventy-seven soldiers dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender. He sent the prisoners up out the tunnel in groups of 12 so that Kebus and Hay could take them back to the Canadian line. Seeing that he had been fooled, a German prisoner grabbed a rifle and tried to shoot one of the runners. The German was then shot and killed.
Badass Part II
It was during this battle that Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell would prove himself to be among the ultimate badasses of the war. On 10 April 1917 MacDowell, along with two Privates who served as runners for him, climbed up the ridge near the area known as “The Pimple” – a tall hill near where the fighting was fiercest during the campaign.
During all the confusion and artillery shit that was exploding all over the place MacDowell and his runners became separated from the rest of their company, but no badass military commander worth his sidearm would ever let that stop him from completing his mission. As the group reached the ridge, they came under fire from two separate German machine gun nests. MacDowell quickly hit the deck and put his insane D-League Softball skills to the test, chucking grenades all over the place like a freak.
He blew the s*** out of one of the nests, killing the weapons team, and managed to render the second machine gun inoperable. Once the guns were knocked out, MacDowell rose to his feet and started determinedly marching towards the gun emplacement and glaring at the lone surviving German machine gunner. The dude took one look at this crazed Canadian, double-checked that his weapon was in fact broken, and immediately ran like a b**** into a tiny tunnel that had been dug into the side of the trench.
Well MacDowell wasn’t about to let this k**** get away. He ran to the edge of the tunnel and shouted in for the German to surrender. Nothing. He carefully took two steps into the darkness before noticing a huge hole in the floor with a ladder going straight down. Since he wasn’t about to back down from the opportunity to deliver a right proper thrashing to a deserving individual, MacDowell climbed down the 55-step ladder into a small passage 75 feet underground. He instructed his runners to wait outside for him.
Once at the bottom, MacDowell took a few steps into this strange lair. Before he knew it he turned a corner and came face-to-face with the German machine gunner he had been chasing, as well as two German Infantry officers and seventy-five enlisted soldiers, all with their guns drawn and aimed directly at MacDowell’s face.
Now this is the point in the story where most non-badasses would crap their pants, surrender, and/or be brutally machine gunned to the ground in slow motion while sad violin music plays in the background. Not Captain MacDowell. He had a plan. And gigantic balls the size of small planets.
MacDowell calmly looked over the room of angry gun-toting Huns, before turning around and yelling at the top of his lungs, “Third Corps! Fourth Corps! We’ve found them! All units proceed down the ladder and prepare to attack on my mark!”
Seventy-seven soldiers dropped their weapons and raised their hands in surrender.
In order to keep his ruse from being discovered, MacDowell sent his prisoners up in groups of twelve, where his runners were waiting to tie them up and take their weapons away. After successfully capturing seventy-seven men using nothing but his nutsack, MacDowell and his men continued to hold their position for five days until the rest of the Battalion caught up to them and relieved them from duty.
https://www.badassoftheweek.com/macdowell
Third Dispatch
4:45 p.m. 9/4/17.
O.C., 38th Battalion C. E. F.
This chap is a runner of mine and has done very fine work. He was wounded shortly after starting yet came on and has been all over our front for me.
Did I ask that a Liason Officer or Artillery Officer be sent up with wire if possible this afternoon as we can see the Bosche Batteries firing and some useful work might be done tonight. Perhaps they are up here now on some other part, but thought I would mention it. The two chaps who started out with me have not been seen since.
Also the matter about the sap running toward No. 7 Crater. This might be turned into good use as a C T possibly. We have now 28 men besides myself here as follows:
A Company – 2
B – 15
C – 1
D – 8
78th Bn – 2 (Wright and Roebottom)This is all I can report. His heavies are still pounding us but as yet have not hit any of the three entrances, but shakes the place.
“T. W. MacDowell”
Captain.
O.C. “B” Company 38th Battalion
Although wounded in the hand, Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell continued for five days to hold the position gained, in spite of heavy shellfire, until eventually relieved by his battalion.
Mentioned in Despatches
Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 1 June 1917 and later granted 10 Days leave of absence on 21 June 1917.
PTSD
MacDowell’s actions key to the 38th Battalion and the 12th Brigade capturing this part of the ridge. However, MacDowell suffered a concussion in the battle, and by June 1917 the men in his company noticed Thain suffering from nervous exhaustion.
Tonsilitis
Thain reported sick on 30 June 1917 with headache, feverishness, general pains and general exhaustion, having had another bout of tonsillitis a week previous.
MacDowell admitted No 12 Canadian Field Ambulance on 3 July 1917, then No 22 Casualty Clearing Station for a week. Five days spent in No 24 General Hospital, Etaples, thence Lady Mitchison’s Hospital for Officer’s, The Clock House, 8 Chelsea Embankment, on 15 July 1917.
Mrs Mitchison’s Hospital
In 1916 Mrs Mary E. Mitchison (1897-1999) opened an auxiliary military hospital in her home on the Chelsea Embankment.
Mrs Mitchison’s Hospital for Officers had 30 beds and affiliated to Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital at Millbank.
Return to England
Major Thain MacDowell sailed from Canada on 5 February 1918. While attending the Staff Course at Cambridge, issues surface on 8 July 1918 as a Confidential Report filed. MacDowell looking much like his portrait, yet to be painted in the image taken at Bexhill below.
On 24 July 1917, Major Thain Wendell MacDowell examined in London, England.
Confidential
Pains have been acute, temperature gradually receding. Insomnia persistent. At present not sleeping well, and has not for two or three months. Still has pains in the shins and back. Tires easily on exertion, Has frequent attacks of profuse sweating. General physical and nervous asthenia.
Captain C F Moffat, CAMC
Captain J A McKee, CAMC
Major S H Moody, CAMC
Trench Fever
Sent to a field hospital to recover from “trench fever” — a euphemism for those who experience mental collapse. Thain failed to recover, doctors ordered him to a hospital in London, now diagnosed with neurasthenia – extreme fatigue, bouts of profuse sweating, persistent insomnia, and heart palpations.
To be Acting/Major whilst commanding a company, 18 August 1917.
King George V
While in London, King George V awarded MacDowell his Victoria Cross for his efforts at Vimy Ridge at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. After being honoured, Major MacDowell sat while an artist painted his portrait.
Portrait of Major Thain Wendell MacDowell VC, DSO
A portrait painted of Major Thain Wendell MacDowell VC, DSO in 1917, while the Canadian soldier recovering from shell shock, brilliantly captures the pain and suffering of those afflicted with PTSD. The portrait painted immediately after King George V awarded MacDowell his Victoria Cross for his efforts at Vimy Ridge in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. It was during this battle that Captain MacDowell would prove himself to be among the ultimate badasses of the Great War.
Leave in Canada
By July, with no real signs of recovery, MacDowell sent home to Canada to recover at the Brockville General Hospital. The schedule for his recovery extended twice.
Coincidentally, MacDowell’s sister Eula a nurse at the Brockville hospital and cared for her brother.
The superintendent of nursing called my mother in, and said, ‘We can’t do anything with him. And he’s your brother so you’ll have to move in with him.
Richard Dumbrille, Eula MacDowell’s son
Dumbrille recalled his uncle as a brilliant man, but his mother revealed told of the broken man who had come home for treatment and rest.
When he had one of these attacks, mother — who was a featherweight — jumped onto his chest and put her face right to his and persuaded him he was in a friendly area. And she brought him around.
Richard Dumbrille
Temporary Recovery
Major Captain Thain Wendell MacDowell examined in Kingston on 15 January 1918.
Officer shows much improvement since last examination. Has regained his emotional control. No attacks of crying since 17 November 1917. Pulse 96 under examination, very little accelerated by double mark time. His idea is to return to England to take up a Staff Course.
Major Russell
Return to Light Duties
Though still considered high-strung and of a nervous temperament, MacDowell sent back to England in February 1918, where he performed light duties until December, never returning to the front in France.
With the 38th Battalion still awaiting demobilization in Bourgeois, Belgium, Thain sailed back to Canada in January 1919. It was another cruel blow – without a triumphant return with his unit, Thain’s condition would take a turn for the worse.
He spent time at the Florence Home in Ottawa, a home for recovering soldiers, but his symptoms persisted, and he was admitted to St. Anne de Bellevue, a hospital for veterans on the island of Montreal.
Delayed Onset of PTSD
Doctors noted MacDowell’s own reports that he only slept about three hours a night, his hands trembled when he extended his arms, and his frequent spells of dizziness. MacDowell also told them that he had difficulty concentrating and had lost his sense of ambition.
After 61 days in hospital, Thain examined on 15 August 1919.
Healthy looking well developed man. Heart and lung negative (Lt Col J G Browne). Adrenalin test negative. Patient states that any exertion causes his heart to beat faster than normal, when this occurs he gets dizzy and has a headache, after which he cannot concentrate his mind. Goes to be about 11:30 pm. Sleeps fairly well till about 3 am, then wakes up and cannot go to sleep again. Perspires frequently and profusely.
Captain H B Church, CAMC
Yet in October 1919, MacDowell discharged from St. Anne de Bellevue. He left the army with the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Angus MacDowell, a well-known bagpiper, even wrote a tune dedicated to his father called “Major Thain Wendell MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O.’s Farewell to Vimy Ridge.” Growing up the son of Thain MacDowell wasn’t easy, Angus says. He was distant and “tough as nails,” and that might have coloured his appreciation of his father’s wartime heroism.
“I’m in awe of him, absolute awe. I’m proud as hell.”
The late Angus MacDowell
Victoria Cross Citation of Captain Thain MacDowell
“For most conspicuous bravery and indomitable resolution in face of heavy machine gun and shell fire.
By his initiative and courage this officer, with the assistance of two runners, was enabled in the face of great difficulties, to capture two machine guns, besides two officers and seventy-five men.
Although wounded in the hand, he continued for five days to hold the position gained, in spite of heavy shell fire, until eventually relieved by his battalion.
By his bravery and prompt action he undoubtedly succeeded in rounding up a very strong enemy machine post.”
(London Gazette, no.30122, 8 June 1917)
Mining Industry
Despite his wartime ordeal, Thain MacDowell ended up having a successful career in the mining industry.
In July 1929, he married Norah Jean Hodgson, of Montreal. They first lived in Toronto but moved to Montreal in 1931. He had two sons, Thain H, and Angus John, who still live in Montreal (2011). His wife died on 1 November 1983.
MacDowell buried in Oakland Cemetery, just outside Brockville, Ontario, not far from where he grew up. His half-brother William Harris Richardson also buried in Oakland Cemetery.
MacDowell Family
Survived by his son Thain. Son Angus John died in 2018, survived by his children Angus Stuart, Patricia Elizabeth, (Rick), and Kenneth Richard, (Tara), as well as his grandchildren, Braden Patrick Thompson, Brianne Antosha MacDowell, William Richard MacDowell, Angelica Gloria Chartier-MacDowell and Isabella Grace MacDowell.
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