The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Private (later Sergeant) George Downey

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: George Daniel Downey

Ancestor's date of birth: 8/11/1880

Ancestor's date of death: 5/2/1954

Cause of Death: Detail not provided.

Service Number: 53

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Sydney

Unit: NSW Army Medical Corps

Rank attained in Boer War: PTE, Date Effective: 1897

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): SGT, Date Effective: 24/10/1918

Murray Page: 21

Contingent: First New South Wales

Ship: SS Kent, Date of Sailing: 23/10/1899

Memorial details: Buried at Rookwood Cemetery (Sydney NSW) Catholic Section

Decorations: Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps. British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Personal Characteristics: A Stereotypist (print plate maker) by profession. Height 167 cm, weight 61 kg (1915).

Reasons to go and fight: I was told he was in trouble with the law in Sydney. Was in the militia from 1897, infantry and the artillery as a driver.

Details of service in war: December 1899 - December 1900 in Cape Colony, Free State, and Transvaal as a stretcher bearer in support of Australian, other colonial and British units. Caught typhoid and survived.

Service and life after the Boer War: Returned to Australia 8 January 1901 on the Orient. Enlisted in the AIF Field Artillery on 5 October 1915. Saw service in Egypt and France. Promoted acting sergeant in October 1918, reverted to Gunner before returning to Australia on 24 December 1918. After returning from the First World War he married Mary Blanche McAppion. They had 2 children, Daniel George and Rose. He worked as a postman based at Strathfield PO.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Michael Patrick Downey, Manly NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Nephew

Name of Descendant: Jane O'Brien, Cabarita NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: grandaughter

 


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RUSI of NSW Boer War Battlefields