WW1 Casualty: Private S/2254 Gordon Downie - Private S/2254 Gordon Downie
| Unit/Regiment |
10th Bn., Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders |
| Date of Death |
16/07/1916 |
Age at Death |
26 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
La Neuville British Cemetery
I B 64 |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
On the Scottish census of 1901, Gordon Downie is shown to be 11 years old, living at 48, High Street, Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland. His father is William, aged 56, a Shoemaker, mother is Mary (53) and his siblings are Alfred (17), Andrew (6), Frederick (14) and Isabella (22) |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Linlithgow |
| Enlisted |
Stirling |
| Resided |
Prescot |
| How Died |
Died of Wounds |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Notes |
CGWC states rank as Drummer |
| Research Ref. No. |
P089 |
Service DetailsThe numbering sequence for the service battalions of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders was a continuation of that used by the regular battalions, although the service number enlistments were prefixed with S/ and the regular enlistments were not.
Gordon Downie was a 24 year old married man, working as a Labourer when he joined the Army in August 1914 in Stirling, Scotland. He was the youngest of 9 sons and 2 daughters to William and Mary Ann Downie of Falkirk.
After training, he went to France on 11th May 1915.
His was wounded in action on 9th July 1916 and he Died of Wounds at No 21 Casualty Clearing Station on 16th July 1916. The Battalion War Diary records that they were in reserve at the beginning of July but moved to trenches at Montauban and west of Bernefay Wood on 8th. It is assumed that Pte Downie was therefore wounded by shellfire as there are no details of action on the date on which he was wounded.
His next of kin was listed as his wife Alice (nee Walker), who lived with the Walker family at 15, Station Road, Prescot. They had married in April 1908 in Glasgow.
The Register of Soldiers Effects, listing Gordon's widow Alice as his next of kin and sole legatee
Gordon Downie's grave at La Neuville
Gordon Downlie's Medal Index Card which shows that he first arrived in France on 11th May 1915.
Pte Downie was entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In 1919, Mr Robinson of the National Federation of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, based in Market Place, Prescot, wrote to the regiment asking for details of Pte Downie's account and possessions. The letter is shown below.
In 1921, the Federation merged with other Veteran's Organisations to form the Royal British Legion
His service is commemorated on the United Reformed Church Roll of Honour
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