The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra
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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: NephewName of Descendant: Jane O'Brien, Cabarita NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: grandaughter
© New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated ABN 94 630 140 881
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