Soldier Record

Sergeant John R.W. Downey was a volunteer who listed as a Territorial Force soldier with the 20th Battalion London Regiment (Blackheath & Woolwich). He sailed to France on the 9th March 1915. He served in the Cuinchy sector, then took part in the battles of Aubers Ridge, Festubert & Givenchy. In June 1915 the battalion moved to the Loos area, taking over trenches in the Hohenzollen area, and then moving to positions just west of Loos village. It was here that he was wounded and he was evacuated back to England on the 24th June 1915. Even though he was no longer fit for active service he did remain with the 20th Battalion until he was discharged due to wounds on the 16th February 1919. He received the 1914/15 Star, British War & Victory medals. He also received the Silver War Badge. Although I have researched the conditions in which he found himself I can't begin to imagine what he truly went through.