Lieut.-Col. Thain Wendell MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O.. Born in Lachute, Québec, MacDowell moved to Maitland in 1897. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. During World War I, he enlisted, on January 9, 1915, in the 38th Battalion, C.E.F. On April 9, 1917, during the battle of Vimy Ridge, assisted by two runners, he captured two machine guns, two officers and seventy-five men. With the vision of the enemy obscured by a turn in a passage in their dug-out, he was able to convince them that he commanded a vastly superior force. His action eliminated a serious obstacle to the gaining of his battalion's objective, and he was awarded the British Empire's highest decoration for valor, the Victoria Cross.
Born in Lachute, Québec, MacDowell moved to Maitland in 1897. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. During World War I, he enlisted, on January 9, 1915, in the 38th Battalion, C.E.F. On April 9, 1917, during the battle of Vimy Ridge, assisted by two runners, he captured two machine guns, two officers and seventy-five men. With the vision of the enemy obscured by a turn in a passage in their dug-out, he was able to convince them that he commanded a vastly superior force. His action eliminated a serious obstacle to the gaining of his battalion's objective, and he was awarded the British Empire's highest decoration for valor, the Victoria Cross.
Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Victoria Cross and George Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1890.
Location. 44° 38.16′ N, 75° 36.729′ W. Marker is in Maitland, Ontario, in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. Marker is on Provincial Highway 2 west of Church Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Maitland ON K6V 5T1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker
2. Wideview of Lieut.-Col. Thain Wendell MacDowell, V.C., D.S.O. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.
