Help the new Royal Marines Museum share the stories of its historic collections by joining with other supporters to Adopt an Object.

From 2019 to the opening of the new museum, we will offer the opportunity to put your name to some of the most interesting, informative and educational items in our collection.

Here we have another item up for adoption, a Telescope belonging to Lt Dowell VC. George Dare Dowell was born in Chichester, Sussex on 24 February 1831. He entered the Royal Marine Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant in July 1848 and was promoted Lieutenant in October 1851.

He served aboard the Magicienne in the Baltic during the war with Russia, 1854-55, and was present at the bombardment of Sveaborg and several other engagements. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action on 13 July 1855 at the Fort of Viborg in the Gulf of Finland. An explosion having occurred in one of the rocket-boats of the Arrogant during an attack on the forts near Viborg, Lieutenant Dowell (who was on board the Ruby gunboat while his own boat was receiving a supply of rockets) was the first to jump into the quarter boat of the Ruby, and with three volunteers, himself pulling the stroke oar, proceeded instantly, under a heavy fire of grape and musketry, to the assistance of the cutter's crew.

The Russians endeavoured to prevent his object of saving the men and the boat, but Lieutenant Dowell succeeded in taking up three of the boat's crew, and placing them on board the Ruby, and on his returning to the spot was mainly instrumental in keeping afloat and bringing off the sinking cutter' (ref. Army List 1888). Captain of the Mast, George Ingouville, R.N., was also awarded the V.C. for the same action. Dowell and Ingouville were amongst those presented with their crosses by Queen Victoria at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857.

Promoted Captain in September 1859, he attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1872. He retired as Adjutant of the 3rd Brigade, Western Division Artillery Militia in January 1886. Dowell then emigrated to New Zealand.

He died on 3 August 1910 and was buried in Purewa Cemetery, Auckland.

The museum's collections are the living memorial to those who have served, charting battles and operations and the stories which bring them to life. The new museum will enable us to tell those stories more effectively and create a deeper understanding of the vital contribution of the Royal Marines to our society.

The collections depict the history of the Corps from 1664 to the present day through a unique collection of artefacts, pictures and documents. One of the most significant parts of the collection is the medal collection consisting of over 8,000 items including gallantry, campaign and foreign awards including an outstanding collection of Victoria Crosses.

There is no minimum donation but you can become a Senior Adopter of an object for £500. Senior Adopters will be invited to a special event ahead of the opening of the new museum. Recognition will be made of all donations over £120 within the new museum when it opens.

The new Royal Marines Museum, at the very heart of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, will place the 354-year history of the Royal Marines firmly within the story of the Royal Navy. For the first time the story of the Royal Marines a national story, but also a story with impact across the globe will be told in a building appropriate to its scale.

After clicking 'Donate', please enter the amount before continuing. Once you have made payment there will be an option to tick a box I'm happy to be contacted by NMRN to hear more about the impact of my donation, its appeals, events and other ways to donate, by email and post. If you do not click to accept further contact or send us your contact details we will be unable to send you your adopter acknowledgement. Please be assured that we will not send you further marketing materials unrelated to your adoption and you can opt out at any time.

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of adopting an object please e-mail fundraising@nmrn.org.uk.

All anonymous adopters must contact fundraising@nmrn.org.uk to receive their adoption pack as your contact details are not forwarded to us.

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