Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John James was an alias used by my Great Grand Uncle to enlist in the 1st AIF. He had initially been rejected here in Melbourne when he first tried to enlist and then journeyed to Sydney where he was accepted. No doubt his initial rejection under his real name led him to use an alias in Sydney. His name was not the only fib on his enlistment papers as he claimed he was 29 years and 11 months old and born in Waterford, Ireland. Neither of which were true.

John James was born on 29 July 1889 at Mitchell Street, Northcote in Victoria as Michael James Downing. For some reason, the original name of Downey had been altered to Downing after the family had migrated here to Australia from Ireland. Despite his registered birth name of Michael James Downing, he was known as Gerald Downing and baptized as Gerald Michael Downing. His parents were Patrick Downing and Mary Downing (nee Fitzgerald). Both were from Waterford in Ireland.

Patrick was a journeyman and had served in the US Army in the US Dragoons prior to the Civil War and journeyed back to Ireland to marry Mary. They migrated to Australia to New South Wales initially in 1879 and then to South Australia before settling in Melbourne, Victoria. Patrick died in 1893 and Mary in 1901 leaving the then twelve year old Gerald an orphan and he was brought up by his sister Hannah 'Annie' Downing who had in 1900 married William Reid and settled in Dalny, Maroo Street, Murrumbeena. William Reid's brother Thomas married Gerald's older sister Catherine 'Kate' Downing and they were the parents of my grandmother Kathleen Reid. (Borthers Reid marrying the sisters Downing). Kathleen was born in 1893 and her uncle Gerald in 1889 and the two were raised almost as siblings so his death in 1917 had a profound effect on my grandmother.

Gerald enlisted at Liverpool, NSW, on 20 July 1915 and was initially attached to the 30th Infantry Battalion. He sailed to Egypt on the Beltana and disembarked on 11 December 1915. He fell ill in Egypt and spent fifty-five days in hospital. After some further time training in Egypt he was sent to Marseilles in France on 10 June 1916. By December 1916 he was transferred to the 4th D.A.C (Division Ammunition Column) as a driver and then to the 5th Field Ambulance. After a further brief stint in hospital and training at the trench mortar school at Berthem, he returned to duty in the field at Der Gronen Corner, south west of Ypres. On 23 May 1917 he was transferred to the 4th Heavy and Medium Trench Mortar Battery at Neippe near Messines. On 9 June 1917 he was seriously injured by shrapnel. He was carried to the 9th Australian Field Ambulance, Hyde Park Corner, where he died of his wounds that same day.

On 20 October 1917 Gerald's sister Hannah Reid received a letter from the army noting that her brother 'John James' had died. On 19 March 1918 she received a package of Gerald's personal effects containing a religious medal, rosary beads, religious books, religious cards, letters, notebook cover, safety razor, photos cards, writing wallet, religious books, pipe, brush, and letters.

Various letters in his file exist well into 1921 from the family requesting details of Gerald's death which indicates their long term grief. The army response to these letters gives little details regarding the circumstances of his death.

His medals were sent to his eldest brother John Downing in accordance with the regulations. John Downing was unmarried so where his medals ultimately have ended up is uncertain. There is also no photo of Gerald Downing or his alter ego of John James and the family would very much like to have one.

The honour board at the Oakleigh RSL and the plaques on the Oakleigh Avenue of Honour both have G.Downing listed as one of their fallen. In 1915 Oakleigh was the nearest town to the then semi-rural and market garden area of Murrumbeena where Gerald was raised by his sister. A book 'Fallen Leaves' commemorates Oakleigh District men who served and died during World War I and Gerald Downing is one of the fat too many who died from the area during the conflict. Some of the details in the book are incorrect but hopefully further editions will correct these errors.

Gerald Downing was buried at the Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium. He is in Plot VI; Row A; Grave 5. His name is located at the Australian War Memorial at 20. After a century since his death, his family still remembers him and his sacrifice.