South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Rifleman 15/52393 Harry DOWNING - 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles

Killed in Action on Sunday, October 20th 1918 aged 26

Grave for h downing


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave of Memorial
France and Flanders British War & Victory Medals                 Harlebeke New British Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 Jan 1916 ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Ufton War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Date  
Hundred Day Offensive November 1915 at Warwick Other War Memorials 
   
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units  
near Gaverbeke Pte 3488 Royal Warwickshire  
     

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

Harry is listed as being killed in action on 20 Oct 1918. The 15th Battalion war diary entries for the period 19th to 21st October are transcribed below.

Lendelede – 19 Oct 1918: Battalion addressed by Divisional Commander. Move to area B.17.a &b (Sheet 29)

Casualties nil

Beveren-Leie – 20 Oct 1918: Move at 01.30 to assembly positions at road in C.26.b&c. Bn HQ at C.20.c.60.30. Formed up for attack as follows:

B Coy left front; D Coy centre front; A Coy right front; C Coy in support with C Coy 1st Royal Irish Rifles in reserve.

Attack starts at 06.00. Battalion reaches approximate objective namely Gaverbeke at 09.00.

Killed: Lt Col D Jones DSO; Capt H.G. Morrow MC; 2/Lt W Anerson
Died of wounds: 2/Lt J Knox MC
Wounded: Capt C N L Stronge MC Adjutnant

Capt F M Gaunt OC A Coy assumes temporary Command.

1st Royal Irish Rifles pas through Battalion at 17.00 to continue attack. Battalion withdraws to Brigade Reserve in area I.2, Bn HQ at I.2.c.80.15.

Major J D M McCallum DSO assumes command vice Capt F M Gaunt

Casualties 3 officers, 12 OR’s killed; 1 Office & 50 OR’s wounded; 2 OR’s missing.

Beveren-Leie – 21 Oct 1918: In same area. Lt Col D Jones DSO; Capt H.G. Morrow MC buried at I.2.c.00.05. Companies reorganised. C Coy attached to 1st Royal Irish Rifles.

No casualties


 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Bapitsm Date/Place
6 May 1891 at Poynton, Cheshire 31 May 1891 at Ufton
   
Parents Names Abode
Joseph and Martha (deceased) Downing 28 Union Road, Leamington Spa                                              
   
Wife Marriage
Edith Annie Downing nee Lawrence Oct Qtr 1917 in Stratford District                               
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History                         
1891 - Ufton 1901 - school age
1901 - White Hart Tavern, Ufton (Uncle & Grandmother) 1911 - Hauliers Carter                        
1911 - White Hart Tavern, Ufton (Uncle & Grandmother)  
1915 - 186 Hagley Road, Edgbaston  
   
  • On his baptism record Harry's mother Martha is stated to be deceased, as it was in the same month as his birth it is likely that
    Martha died at some stage during or after the birth.