| Regimental number | 4473 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Portland, Victoria |
| School | Scotch College, East Melbourne, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Student |
| Address | Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Father, Mr J Downing, Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 7th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/24/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 57th Battalion |
| Promotions |
Major Promotion date: Lieutenant Colonel Promotion date: |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Recommendation date: Military Medal Promoted to Sergeant. Officers were all killed and he took charge and led a successful charge into no man's land. He declined a commission to remain with his comrades-at-arms. |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'East of Glencorse Wood during the period 25th/27th September 1917 this N.C.O. did excellent work. When the Company Sergeant Major and the Platoon Sergeant became casualties he did most valuable work in organising and despatching carrying parties under very heavy shell fire. By his coolness and courage under trying conditions he set a fine example to all men who came under his command.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
| Other details |
Was doing 2nd Year Law at Melbourne University at time of enlistment. He was the author of 'Digger Dialects, 1919 (republished in 1990 in association with the Australian War Memorial). He also published a series of short accounts of life in the trenches, 'To the Last Ridge', in 1920. He was awarded the Dublin Prize in 1921 by Melbourne University for this publication. War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 71 |
| Place of burial | Springvale Cemetery |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
