Herbert Hamilton “Bert” Downey

In memoriam

MAJOR H. H. DOWNEY, MC. H.Q. 1. AUST. CORPS 22ND APRIL 1941 AGE 49 DUTY NOBLY DONE

Son of Hugh Lewis Zephyr Downey and Elizabeth Downey; husband of Hazel Hannah Downey, of Kew, Victoria, Australia. Herbert Hamilton Downey joined the 1st Battalion Victorian Rangers as a boy Bugler in January 1906. In 1910 he joined the Permanent Military Forces Artillery serving at Queenscliff, Victoria, until 1914. Posted to Thursday Island from 1914 through March 1916, the now CSM Downey enlisted in the 1st AIF and joined the 2nd Australian Siege Battery in France. He won a Military Cross on the Western Front and returned to Australia in 1919. Military Cross, award quotation: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as F.O.O. For two days during an exceptionally heavy bombardment he kept in touch with the battery, forwarding valuable information about the tactical situation, and during the night enabling fire to be brought to bear on bodies of the enemy massing for attack and on hostile batteries in action.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 Date: 4 February 1919 He remained in the RAA and was made a 1st Class Master Gunner in 1920. In 1922 he transferred to the Australian Instructional Corps and seconded to the School of Artillery as an Honorary Lieutenant. In 1932 he was awarded the Long Service Medal and in 1935 the Meritorious Service Medal in addition to his WWI service medals. He joined the 2nd AIF with the outbreak of WWII, was promoted to Major and appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services in 1st Australian Corps. He was deployed to Greece in 1941 but died of wounds received during an air attack at Thebes in April 1941. He was re-buried in the Athens Military Cemetery in 1945.

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