Grace Swanston Shearman McDOWALL (3)

1st Page of Service Record of William McDowall, Father of -

Grace Swanston Shearman (Tottie) McDOWALL. Born 1876 in the registration district of Medway, Kent. Died Malta 27th February 1886, aged 10 years from diphtheria.
Elder daughter of Grace and William McDowall, Inspector of Machinery, Royal Navy. 1881, named Lettie, she was residing with her father and mother Grace at 30 Ashburton Toad, Portsea, Hampshire. Her father as a Chief Engineer, Royal Navy. 1888 she was residing with her family at 86 Strada Forni, Valletta, Malta. He was serving on HMS Hibernia as Chief Inspector of Machinery.

Not mentioned on the memorial -

Violet McDOWALL, daughter of Grace and William McDowall, Royal Navy. Born at Malta, aged 4 and died 24th July 1886 aged 4 hours

At rest in Ta’Braxia Cemetery, Malta.


Additional information on her father William McDOWALL –
Born 15 December 1833 at Glasgow, Scotland. Joined the Royal Navy 4 April 1854 on HMS St Vincent (Gosport shore establishment) as Assistant Engineer 2nd Class 4 April to 29 April 1854. Next promotion was recorded when he was serving on HMS Flying Fish as Assistant Engineer 1st Class He joined the ship 12 May 1859 to 29 January 1861.
16 April 1861 serving on HMS Hornet at Aden aged 27 as Assistant Engineer 1st Class, later promoted to Engineer (recorded as New title). It may have been a new rank for the navy. He left this ship 12 September 1863 and joined another one. He was then Chief Engineer on HMS Cumberland. Serving from 26 August 1867 to 5 June 1868. 23 November 1883 he was an Inspector of Machinery serving on HMS Hibernia. Still on HMS Hibernia he was promoted to Chief Inspector of Machinery from the 1 December 1887. He retired 3 January 1889 and died 27 March 1897 aged 68 years. His residence prior to death was 15 Cothele Villas, Stoke Damerel, Devonshire. His effects went to David Robb and William Castle retired naval officers. Effect £2792. 3s. 3d.