Downey, Hugh

No.3040 – Private Hugh Downey – 51^st Battalion AIF

Hugh Downey was born in South Shields England to Francis and Katherine Downey in 1872. He had one younger brother called Patrick, six years his junior and was educated at St Bedes Catholic School in Jarrow. The 1891 census still has him living in Jarrow.

After leaving school he joined the Royal Navy where he saw out the full term of service. He had been married though his wife had since died and had one daughter, Annie from the marriage. In 1912 he travelled to Western Australia where he continued to find work as a stoker and Mariner. During this time it seems he based himself in Russell St South Fremantle. It seems Annie remained in South Shields England with Hugh’s family.

On the 23^rd September 1914 Hugh puts his age down by a couple of years and attempted to enlist in the AIF. He was initially passed as fit with the medical examiner finding him to be 5 feet 4 ½ inches tall; weight of 122 lbs; chest measurement of 33-35 inches; dark complexion; brown eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. Hugh was assigned to C Company of the 16^th Battalion AIF with the regimental number 423. On the 31^st October 1914 Hugh was discharged from the AIF as medically unfit.

Hugh would not be deterred and several months later tried again to enlist at the Perth Drill Hall. On the 14^th July 1915 Hugh again enlisted and reduced his age so he would be accepted. He was passed as fit and was assigned to the 9^th Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion but this was later changed as he was transferred to the 10^th Reinforcements to the 11^th Battalion. He trained with this group in WA until the 13^th October 1915 when he boarded the H.M.A.T. “Themistocles” in Fremantle Harbour.

After arriving in Egypt in November Hugh was put into the infantry details camp but did not proceed to join the 11^th Battalion on Gallipoli as plans had been made to evacuate the peninsula. Hugh therefore remained in camp till the end of 1915 and joined the 11^th Battalion when they returned to Egypt, being officially taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir on the 7^th January 1916. Hugh trained with the 11^th Battalion through January and February 1916.

With the expansion of the AIF the original battalions were cut in half with one half going to the new battalions thus half of the 11^th Battalion went on to form the 51^st Battalion. Hugh was taken on strength of the 51^st Battalion on the 1^st March 1916. He trained with them in Egypt until the end of May 1916 when they were told to prepare for departure for France. On the 5^th June 1916 the 51^st Battalion boarded their transports and sailed for France, reaching Marseilles on the 12^th June 1916.

The 51^st Battalion were sent north to the Fleurbaix region where they would gain experience in trench line duty. Their stay here was only for a few weeks before they were sent south to the Somme battlefield.

The 1^st and 2^nd Australian Divisions had captured Pozieres Village and were attempting to advance towards Mouquet Farm. The 51^st Battalion came into the line around the 15^th August and took part in an advance. A further assault by the 51^st on Mouquet Farm occurred on the 3^rd September 1916 and they suffered huge casualties though Hugh survived these operations unhurt.

In January 1917 Hugh was granted leave to England though he got into trouble by overstaying his leave by two days, most likely due to catching up with his family. The punishment was rather severe in that he was given 28 days of Field Punishment No.2 and had to forfeit 30 days pay. On the 1^st February 1917 he was transferred from the Infantry Depot at Perham Downs and sent under escort to the transport ship. Arriving at Etaples on the 4^th February 1917 he was marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot where he spent a few more days before rejoining the 51^st Battalion on the 10^th February 1917.

In February and March the Germans started to withdraw to their prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. The Australians and British pressed this retirement all the way and captured many of villages. On the 2^nd April 1917 the 51^st Battalion were ordered to capture Noreuil village. The Germans launched a machine gun barrage on the 51^st and many men were killed. Hugh was killed during the assault and unfortunately nothing states where he was buried and so after the war his grave could not be found. He is therefore commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.