Daniel Downey (Downie)

Killed in Action on the 02/04/1916 when he was shot in the heart whilst on sentry duty near Berles

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division when Daniel fell. Daniel arrived in France on the 19/09/1914. He was shot in the heart whilst on sentry duty at 3.30am on the 02/04/1916. He died a few minutes later. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MARCH - APRIL 1916. Daniel was a popular member of the Irish National Foresters. He was buried in a small cemetery alongside fallen comrades by a priest. A letter was sent to his father Patrick by Lieutenant Hugh Donovan of the Royal Irish Fusiliers (see Newspaper clipping). Daniel is listed as 3rd BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial and as DOWNEY on all information except the Coatbridge Memorial and Newspaper clippings. The Newry War Memorial has no names on it but I've added a photograph of it. A historian into Newry's War Dead states - "It was decided not to inscribe the names of those who had been killed or served in the war because of the cost involved and the embarrassment, if after the names were engraved, it was found that someone had been overlooked". Daniel is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour (see Newspaper clipping). See photos for Daniel's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his listing in Ireland Casualties of WW1, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Daniel's Will x 3, his Pension Records x 2, Newry War Memorial, Berles-au-Bois Churchyard Extension Cemetery and the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge. Finally, see photos x 12 for the 4th Division Order of Battle (the Division he was with when he died) and St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour Newspaper clipping (Coatbridge Express 13/01/1915).