DOWNING, Charles Edward
| Service Number: | 1637 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 December 1915, Tumut, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Tumut, New South Wales, 26 June 1867 |
| Home Town: | Tumut, Tumut Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Adelong, New South Wales, 21 July 1950, aged 83 years |
| Cemetery: |
Adelong Cemetery, NSW Catholic section |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1637, 55th Infantry Battalion, Tumut, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1637, 55th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1637, 55th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 30 Oct 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1637, 55th Infantry Battalion |
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"TUMUT DISTRICT IDENTITY FOUND DEAD
An aged and well-known resdent of Tumut, Mr. Charles Downing, who was in his 85th year, was found dead. He had been missing since Thursday last. It is known that deceased got off the train at Gadara on Monday of last week. He had been living with Mr. Bob Downing, but was not expected home, as it was believed he was staying with relatives in another part of the district. Deceased's body was discovered by a neighbor, Mr. Howe, on the boundary of the Gadara property. It is believed tliat he died from exposure." - from the Cootamundra Herald 25 Jul 1950 (nla.gov.au)
"DEATH OF MR. CHAS. DOWNING
After being missing since Thursday last, Mr. Charles Downing, of Gadara, was found dead on Sunday near Mr. F. Howe's property at Deep Creek. Death was due to natural causes and the Adelong Coroner (Mr. N. Mackay) has dispensed with an inquest. The late Mr. Downing had been in Tumut for a few days spell and had complained of not feeling well, suffering from an attack of flu. He left Tumut by train on Thursday and had got out at Gadara Siding, intending to walk to his home. He had evidently followed a water course which led towards Adelong instead of towards his home and may have lost his way in the gathering dusk. He had sat down in a blind gully near the watercourse and had passed away whilst in that position. Relatives at Gadara thought Mr. Downing was still in Tumut and it was not until Saturday that it was discovered he was missing. Search parties, headed by Sergeant Shelley, of Adelong, were quickly organised, but it was not until Sunday morning that deceased was found by Mr. Ron. Howe near Deep Creek. The late Mr. Downing, who was 83 years of age, was born at Gadara, where he followed grazing pursuits all his life. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Downing, who owned a large area of country in that part of the district, extending practically to Batlow. Later this was reduced to comprise the Gadara and Killarney properties. Deceased resided on the old home property all his life, living with his late brother Fred and family. The late Mr. Downing never married and was a quiet living man. He enlisted in the 1st A.I.F. and served overseas. There is only one sister, Nellie (Mrs. W. Thorn, of Sydney), surviving. Brothers and sisters who predeceased the late Mr. Downing were Robert, Thomas, Matthew, Michael, Frederick, Marjorie (Mrs. Sheahan), Kate (Mrs. Thom), Margaret (Mrs. McDonald) and Johanna (Mrs. Nash). The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, interment being made in the Catholic portion of the Adelong cemetery." - from the Tumut and Adelong Times 23 Jul 1950 (nla.gov.au)