Robert Downie
Sergeant, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 345 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers all Royal Dublin Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 23 October 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 25th November 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 12th January 1894 at Glasgow
- Died
- 18th April 1968 at Glasgow
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 23rd October 1916 East of Lesboeufs, France, at when most of the officers had become casualties, Sergeant Downie, utterly regardless of personal danger and under very heavy fire, organised the attack which had been temporarily checked. At the critical moment he rushed forward shouting, " Come on the Dubs! '' which had an immediate response and the line rushed forward at the call. Sergeant Downie accounted for several of the enemy and in addition captured a machine gun, killing the team. Although wounded early in the fight, he remained with his company, giving valuable assistance while the position was being consolidated
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
DOWNIE, Robert. (reg No. 345).
Sergeant 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 25th November 1916.
Born on 12th January 1894 at Glasgow.
Died on 18th April 1968 at Glasgow.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads:. On 23rd October 1916 East of Lesboeufs, France, at when most of the officers had become casualties, Sergeant Downie, utterly regardless of personal danger and under very heavy fire, organised the attack which had been temporarily checked. At the critical moment he rushed forward shouting, " Come on the Dubs! '' which had an immediate response and the line rushed forward at the call. Sergeant Downie accounted for several of the enemy and in addition captured a machine gun, killing the team. Although wounded early in the fight, he remained with his company, giving valuable assistance while the position was being consolidated.
Additional information:. Sergeant Downie also held the Military Medal (MM).
Additional information
Sergeant Downie also held the Military Medal (MM).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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