DOWNIE, Matthew
| Service Number: | 414 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 34th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Carrington, New South Wales , Australia, 5 January 1892 |
| Home Town: | Wickham, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Wickham, New South Wales, Australia, 17 September 1969, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW PRESBYTERIAN-3SE. 74. |
| Memorials: | Newcastle High School Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 414, 34th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 414, 34th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 2 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 414, 34th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Sydney | |
| 7 Feb 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 414, 34th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD, medically unfit |
Help us honour Matthew Downie's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
55 years ago today, on the 19th September 1969, Private Matthew Downie, 34th Battalion (Reg No-414), miner from 15 Church Street, Wickham, New South Wales and Wallsend?, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 77. PRESBYTERIAN-3SE. 74.
Born at Carrington, New South Wales on the 5th January 1892 to Hugh Snr, died 14.6.1915, Brunker Street, Kurri Kurri, N.S.W., age 70, buried at PRESBYTERIAN-3SE. 75, and Janet Goodwin Downie, died 19.12.1942, Llewellyn Street, Merewether, N.S.W., age 81, mother of 7?, buried on the Sunday of the 20.12.1942, no funeral notice, sleeping at PRESBYTERIAN-3SE. 74, from Brunker Street, Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Mat enlisted on the 13th January 1916 at West Maitland, N.S.W.
Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A20 Hororata on the 2nd May 1916.
Admitted to hospital 15.8.1916 (myalgia), 9.12.1916 (not stated).
Granted furlough from 7.3.1917 to 22.3.1917.
Wounded in action - 5.11.1917 (GSW right hip).
Commenced return to Australia 5.11.1917.
Mat arrived home on the 3rd January 1918, being discharged medically unfit on the 7th February 1918.
Mr. Downie’s name has been inscribed on the Newcastle High School Honor Roll. Name not inscribed on the Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board 1 or 2.
Unfortunately, Mat’s name has not been inscribed on the family headstone, and I am unable to erect a wooden cross at the gravesite, so I have placed poppies and a 1914-1918 WAR label in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Not officially commemorated.
Also spelt DOWNEY.
Many thanks to Bill Storer for the notification and information.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
For more detail, see “Forever Remembered“.
http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.