Manitoba's WWI Fallen: Colin S. Dow of Gilbert Plains

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, I am working on a series of blog posts and radio shows that will look at some of the Manitobans who died in action. For more about this project and links to other posts, follow this link.

Private Colin Stanley Dow was born in Russell, Manitoba in 1889*. His family lived near Binscarth but moved to Gilbert Plains in 1900. 

(*  Dow's birth year and place varies. On his hand-written attestation papers the year is 1889 but in in the Manitoba Vital Statistics database it says 1888. the later is, presumably, a a typo. As for his place of birth, his attestation papers say“near Gilbert Plains”. The Manitoba Vital Statistics database says "R.M. of Birtle” but his military medical papers list Russell, Manitoba.)

Gilbert Plains, ca 1912. (Source: Peel's)

In Gilbert Plains his father, James Munroe Dow, operated the post office and in later years served as reeve. He died of stomach cancer in 1911 leaving his widow, Annie, and seven sons.  

When Colin enlisted in with the 107th Battalion in February 1916 he was single and noted his occupation as farmer.  

Dow arrived in England aboard the SS Olympic on September 25, 1916 and was killed in action on October 11, 1917, at the age of 29. His Circumstances of Death certificate notes only that it happened near Avion, France.

He is buried at Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain-St Nazaire in Pas de Calais, France.

Related:
Gilbert Plains cenotaph
Canadian Virtual War Memorial entry
Attestation Papers
Circumstances of Death certificate