Downing, Herbert Charles

786 Gunner Herbert Charles Downing - 36th Heavy Artillery Group

Herbert Charles Downing was born on the 30th October 1896 in Summerhill Shropshire England to Charles and Ellen Downing.

The family came to WA in the 1900's and set up residence in South Fremantle, living at 23 Jenkins Street. (later renumbered 7 Jenkins). Herbert was working as a salesman and was also in the 11th Australian Garrison Artillery of the Citizens Military Forces who were based at the Fremantle Artillery Barracks.

When the Permanent Gunners of the Permanent Army enlisted for overseas service in 1915, the militia Gunners for the 11th AGA were used to replace them around the Fremantle Harbour fortifications.

On the 21st June 1916 Herbert enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 8 inches tall;

Weight - 10 stone 1;

Chest Measurement - 35 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Dark Brown.

After his successful enlistment, he and other Western Australian reinforcements for the Heavy Artillery were sent over east to complete their training. On the 30th September 1916 Herbert and his reinforcement group departed Sydney aboard the transport ship Aeneas and set sail for England, disembarking at Plymouth on the 19th November 1916.

After being disembarked the men were sent to the Australian Artillery Training Depot at Parkhouse Camp. He had a week here and was then sent to the Siege Brigade Camp at Stowlangtoft.

Herbert remained training here for a few months and then on the 20th January 1917 was sent to France. He was sent to the Artillery Base Depot Camp at Le Havre and he spent the next month here. Herbert joined the 55th Battery of the 36th Heavy Artillery Brigade on the 25th February 1917.

His unit were then situated near Bouzincourt on the Somme battlefield providing fire support to the front line. They were here through to early April 1917 when they moved north to near the Belgian border. They would then provide fire support for the Australian and British soldiers at Ploesgsteert in Belgium.

Herbert's Battery was also kept busy through June and July 1917 with the Battle of Messines and the opening phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. As the Ypres battle continued the Artillery batteries moved closer to the front. On the 14th October 1917 Herbert was wounded when German counter Battery fire hit their guns. Shrapnel hit him in the scalp and shoulder.

Herbert was initially treat at the 3rd Field Ambulance and was patched up. He was then sent to the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station where further treatment occurred and he was put on the ambulance train which took him to Etaples where he was admitted to the 24th General Hospital.

Fortunately his would was not severe and after six days in hospital Herbert was sent to the Convalescent Depot. He would rejoin his unit on the 20th November 1917.

The 36th Heavy Artillery Group were then heavily involved in the action at Cambrai supporting the British offensive and then defending against the German counter attack.

The 55th Battery then returned to Belgium for the next few months over the 1917/18 winter. On the 6th February 1918 Herbert was granted two weeks leave to the UK, returning to his unit on the 22nd February 1918.

On the 21st March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive which broke through the British lines further south. As a result the Australian infantry divisions were sent south to stop this advance. The 36th Heavy Artillery Group remained in Belgium and was one of the few Australian units still there when the Germans broke through the British lines in Belgium.

Several guns had to be hurriedly withdrawn as the Germans made a rapid advance. Herbert and his guns withdrew into northern France where they could begin firing on the Germans.

On the 23rd April 1918 Herbert was sent to hospital with scabies but it was not a severe case and he returned to his unit on the 1st May 1918.

Herbert then served with his unit for the remainder of 1918. For May through to July 1918, they were in position in Northern France providing fire support around Merris and Meteren. From August 1918 onwards they were then supporting the British infantry advancing in northern France and Belgium.

They were still in the northern sector when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. They then were in the village of Tourcoing.

On the 10th December 1918 Herbert was detached for few days to the Signal School but soon rejoined his unit. On the 16th December 1918 he was then sent on a two week furlough to England, returning to his unit on the 3rd January 1919.

On the 13th February 1919 Herbert was detached for duty to the 36th HAG headquarters. He spent the next several weeks on duty there and on the 3rd April 1919 was returned to England. He was sent to Codford Camp and would now wait to be assigned a berth on a troopship home.

On the 1st June 1919 Herbert was sent aboard the transport ship Somali and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 8th July 1919.

Herbert was discharged from the AIF on the 28th August 1919. Herbert then returned home to Jenkin street but soon moved to Cleopatra Street Palmyra and he found work locally as a storeman.

He remained at Cleopatra street for a few years and was then married on the 10th October 1925 in East Fremantle to Madeline Maude Cottrill, and they would have three children, with Beryl born 1926 and Lorna in 1928 followed by Max.

The family then moved to McCleery Street Beaconsfield, setting up residence at 60 McCleery (Renumbered to 26 McCleery in 1937). They family would live here for the next few years.

Sadly Herbert died on the 25th May 1943 at Wooroloo. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A6 0069