Albert Henry Downie

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 30/06/2015 - 13:37

First Name:

Albert

Middle Name:

Henry

Last Name:

Downie

Mother's Name:

Jane (nee Macgee)

Father's Name:

James Downie

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, April 20, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

No. 3 Australian General Hospital

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Albert Downie (Service No 4371) was born in Helensburgh, NSW about 1898. He spent 2 years and 9 months in the cadets and at the time of enlistment was a Cadet Sergeant. He was very keen to enlist and at 17 years and 3 months he obtained permission from his parents and a letter from his cadet officer recommending he be accepted.

A single labourer he embarked on RMS Mooltan on 15th May 1915 with No 3 Australian General Hospital. He served in Egypt as a batman, too young for combat at that time. Albert went to England and on 14th May 1917 he transferred to 10th Battalion and finally saw service on the Western Front. He was evacuated to hospital in England on 28th August 1918 wounded and gassed, having been hit by a gas shell. There are no entries in his file for any offences while away.

He was returned to Australia in February 1919 and discharged medically unfit 20th March 1920. His brother James (Service No 2780) also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, DOWNIE A H