William Downey

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 22/06/2015 - 10:32

First Name:

William

Last Name:

Downey

Mother's Name:

Mary Downey

Father's Name:

Thomas Downey

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, January 27, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

4th Battalion

Company:

B Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, August 6, 1915

Place of Death:

Lone Pine, Gallipoli

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

William Downey (Service No 1747) was born in Kiama, N.S.W. around 1886.

Upon enlistment he was a single 29 year old labourer, and had served previously with E Company, 2nd Regiment, Kiama Citizen Military Forces.

William embarked on HMAT A9 Shropshire with 4th Reinforcements, 4th Battalion on 17th March 1915. He spent time in Egypt, and arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 31st May with B Company, 4th Battalion. James took part in the Lone Pine battle but was killed fighting.

The Red Cross file for John states that while attacking the Turkish trenches he was shot in the head then hit by a bomb. At a later time he, along with many others, was buried in trenches which were then filled in.

James is commorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, DOWNEY W