Herbert Frederick McDowall was born at West Maitland on 26 October 1910 to Herbert W Arthur McDowall and Ivy S Ingram.
Herbert originally enlisted in the RAAF Reserve on 16 January 1941. Herbert then enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on the 10 April 1941 at Taree aged 30 years and 5 months stating his occupation as Commercial Traveller and Storekeeper. He listed his father Arthur McDowall as his next of kin. At the time of enlistment he was posted to No 2 Recruit Depot, Richmond and stated his place of residence as Upper Lansdowne.
On 11 June 1941 he was transferred to H/Q Rathmines.
On the 7 March 1942 he was transferred to 100 Squadron at Richmond. Whilst in 100 Squadron he was transferred to Mereeba, Laverton and Garbutt. On 1 December 1942 he was promoted to Flight Sergeant.
On 17 January 1944 he was transferred to 2 Embarkation Depot and on 23 February 1944 he was then transferred to 5 Aircraft Depot.
Herbert embarked Sydney on 2 September 1942 with 100 Squadron for New Guinea, arriving back in Australia on 24 January 1944. He then embarked from Sydney on 11 August 1945 and disembarked in Vancouver, Canada on 31 August 1945. He then embarked San Francisco on the 24 January 1946 arriving back in Sydney on 12 February 1946.
Herbert received the 1939-43 Star, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal.
At the time of discharge on 28 March 1946, he was posted to 5 Aircraft Depot.
