L/Cpl 17322 John Anderson Henry Downie

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 22nd January 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: H.11

John Anderson Henry Downie was born on the 11th May 1894 in Liverpool. He was the eldest of four children born to William Downie and his wife Jeanie (née Henry) who had married 22nd March 1893 at St Mary’s Church, Walton.  

By the time of the 1901 Census the family were living at 67 Carisbrooke Road, Liverpool. John is the eldest child in the household he is aged 6 and he lives with his parents and two siblings. His father, William, is a 38 year old marine engineer born in Scotland, while his wife, Jeanie is 36 years old and was born in Liverpool. His siblings are listed as; Thomas aged 2 and newborn William. Also present is Annie Henry who is a 66 year old widow, born in Scotland and described as an aunt. 

There are a number of crew records on Servia, Ultonia, Carmania, Pavonia, Lucania for William Downie b.1863 Lennoxtown/Stirling.

In 1911, Jeanie is at the same address, with her three children including John, who is now 16, and said to be a part time invoice clerk with a preserves manufacturer and a part time student. Jeannie is described as married so her husband was presumably away at sea. She declares that they have been married for 18 years and have had four children, three of whom have survived. John's siblings are recorded as Thomas aged 12 and William aged 10.  Still present in the household is his aunt, Annie Henry, now aged 76. 

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02^nd September 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17322. He gave his age as 20 years 4 months, his occupation as an apprentice journalist with Wallasey and Wirral Newspapers and his next of kin as his father, William. He was described as being 5’ 5”, weighed 121lbs, 34” chest with sallow complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. He stated his religion as Presbyterian and as his next of kin, was his father William, of 67 Carisbrooke Road.   

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

Upon enlisting he was appointed Unpaid Lance Corporal and on 31^st July 1915 paid Lance Corporal. He arrived in France with his Battalion on 07^th November 1915 and earned his 3 medals.

From "Postcard Messages from the Great War 1914-19" by Andrew Brooks

Sent in 1915 by John Anderson Henry Downie to his mother at 67, Carisbrooke Road, Walton, Liverpool.

“Dear Mother,

I duly received both parcels in good condition.  I thank you very much for them, they will provide extras for some time to come.  On the other side you will see some of competitors lined up for a 4 and a 1/2 mile event at sports.  I am number 231. In the background a large sports ground is seen.

Yours John.”

John was killed in action by a shell on 22^nd January 1916, aged 21.

19th Btn. War Diary 22nd Jan 1916

"Bombardment on both sides. Minenwerfer wrecked a dug-out, with the following casualties.  17322 L. Cpl. Downie killed.  17496 Pte. Whitehead seriously wounded. We finally silenced the enemy."

John was buried next day and now rests at Carnoy Military Cemetery, France in Grave H11.

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.

The Liverpool Echo reported John's loss on 01st February 1916:

KILLED IN ACTION

DOWNIE - January 22, killed in action in France, aged 21 years, Lance Corporal John A. H. Downie 19th (Service) Battalion Liverpool "Pals", the dearly beloved eldest son of Mr and Mrs W. Downie, 67 Carisbrooke Road, Walton.

His death was reported again in the Liverpool Echo of 02nd February 1916

WALLASEY JOURNALIST KILLED.

"The death reported Lance-corporal J. A. Henry Downie, of the Service Battalion King's (Liverpool Regiment), who was killed a bursting shell while in a dug-out at the front in France January 22. The deceased corporal, who was only twenty one years of age, had been for some time on the staff of the 'Wallasey Chronicle" when, shortly after the outbreak of war, he enlisted in the " Pals." He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Downie. of 67, Carisbrooke road, Walton, and his father is serving as chief engineer transport." 

Reverend W. A. Warren attached to 21^st Infantry Brigade officiated at the funeral. His effects, which included a “Guide to the Stars” and a German dictionary, were received by his mother, as was his plaque and memorial scroll. According to CWGC, his father had died before John’s headstone was erected over his grave.

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £4 5s 9d, and £5 10s War Gratuity went  to father William, no Pension record found. The personal items returned included disc, note book, Guide book to the Stars, hair brush, silver watch and case, money bag with 3 coins, dictionary, 2 razor blades, silver cig case, diary, prayer book, papers, rubber, fountain pen holder, 19ct gold ring, writing pad, wallet, pkt letters and photos. 

John is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 6

Liverpool Presbyterian Union, Kirkdale

St Luke's Church, Walton

His brother Thomas R. served in the K.L.R as Pte 110362 and received the British War Medal & Victory medals. 

His father died on 02nd April 1921, aged 59. Probate 27th April 1921 to his widow Jeanie.

His mother placed a tribute to her husband and son in the Liverpool Evening Express on 10th April 1922: 

DOWNIE - In sad but ever loving remembrance of my dearly beloved husband WILLIAM DOWNIE, who passed away April 2, 1921; also my beloved eldest son, JOHN A. H. DOWNIE, Liverpool Pals, killed in action, January 22, 1916. (Both sadly missed by Mrs Downie and family, 49 Endborne Road, Walton, late of Carisbrooke Road.) 

His mother, Jeanie, died in the September quarter of 1941, aged 76. 

We currently have no further information on John Anderson Henry Downie, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.