The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 10 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 7 December 1915.

Promoted to Sergeant, Serapeum, 1 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Reported missing in action, 19/20 July 1916.

Placed on Supernumerary List of NCOs, 20 October 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 23 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'.

Handwritten note on B.103: 'Buried Fromelles, Sheet 36 N 22 B&D.'

Statement, Red Cross File No 950509, 1254 Pte W.A. GAIT, 29th Bn (patient, 1st London General Hospital, Camberwell, England), December 1916: 'He was killed at Fromelles south of Armentieres on the 19th July by a shell which blew half his face away about 4 o'c. am. [Eyewitness].'

Second statement, 308 Sergeant Major G.R. NEWMAN, 29th Bn (patient, 3rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford, England), 17 February 1917: 'I have seen Sergt. Downie's grave next to the dressing station out on the Croix Blanc Road. There is a cross up with his name on. Three or four Sergeants are buried there together.'

Third statement, 2166 Pte G. WILSON, 29th Bn, 14 March 1917: 'Witness saw soldier killed at FleurBaix (sic) on the 19/7/16, at 5 p.m. They were charging when a shell exploded, and killed soldier. Witness was carrying bombs at the time, and passing soldier on several occasions, was able to make sure he was dead.'

Fourth statement, 997 Corporal W.L. GIBSON, C Company, 29th Bn (patient, 18th General Hospital, Etaples), 23 October 1916: 'He was wounded at Fleurbaix on 19.7.16. in the head and I saw him on 20.7.16 in the 2nd.line dressing station at FortHomrey. It was not a serious wound in my opinion; he was a walking case. The D.S. was well behind the line and he should not have gone missing.' (Note: 'A careful reliable witness.')