BORN BELFAST, COUNTY ANTRIM, 1887. EDLEST SON OF THOMAS & SUSAN DOWNS, OF 8, FLORENCE GROVE, LORRAINE STREET, HULL (WAR PENSION & CWGC ADDRESS). BOTH HIS PARENTS WERE BORN IN BELFAST. HE HAD THREE BROTHERS, ERNEST, WALTER AND SAMUEL. THE FAMILY WERE RECKITT’S WORKERS.
HE JOINED THE RECKTT’S FIRM ON 1ST SEPTEMBER 1909. HE WORKED IN THE BRASSO DIVISION.
HE ENLISTED IN HULL. SERVED WITH THE 7TH EYR. DIED ON 21/09/1918, AGED 31. BURIED AT ASSEVILLERS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, FRANCE.
HIS BROTHER, LANCE CORPORAL, ERNEST DOWNS, 2/7TH MANCHESTERS, WAS KILLED IN ACTION, ON 21/03/1918, AGED 29.
BOTH BROTHERS ARE COMMEMORATED ON THE RECKITT’S MEMORIAL. HULL.