Born 1888 Port Gordon Island Creek Tasmania the son of Joseph Francis and Elizabeth Dooling (nee Smith) a labourer he embarked Brisbane 29th June 1915 on board “HMAT Aeneas” with the 26th Infantry Battalion.

He served at Gallipoli and was appointed Lance Corporal 9th July 1917 and on the 12th May 1918 he was returned to Australia to recover from the effects of gas poisoning.

He died 16th April 1919 as a result of gas poisoning and was buried in the Cygnet (St Mark) Anglican Cemetery, Cygnet, Tasmania, Australia.



PASSING OF AN ANZAC

The death occurred at Cygnet on Wednesday of Lance Corporal John Dooling. The deceased, who was a native of Port Cygnet enlisted in 1914 and was invalided home after being several times wounded and gassed shortly before the armistice was signed. The deadly gas, however, left him a semi invalid and in the last few weeks he got worse although his death was quite unexpected. The funeral on Friday was very largely attended, hundreds of residents, together with cadets, militia and returned soldiers in uniform being present to pay the last respects to the dead soldier. Reverend C L H Cox, Rector of Port Cygnet conducted the funeral services in the church and at the graveside.

The Weekly Courier 24th April 1919