The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. John arrived in France on the 20/09/1914. He rejoined his Regiment at the outbreak of war and died in the attempt to capture Hill 60 near Kemmel. SEE PHOTOS x 23 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY MARCH - APRIL 1915. The Battalion War Diary for the 21/04/1915 states - "J10 and J1 trenches heavily shelled in morning by 8" high explosive shells, 82 shells being fired. Our Artillery replied by shelling PETIT BOIS. Visual signalling arranged from J10 to Headquarters by electric lamp in case telephones went wrong. Casualties : Eight killed and six wounded. "A" Company relieved "B" Company on account of the shelling they got. Quiet day in Billets although shelling still continued towards ST. ELOI. Lieutenant Carlisle goes to Field Ambulance". John is listed as DOWNEY and 2nd ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS on the Coatbridge Memorial. John joined the Royal Scots in August 1899 and served in the Boer War (received the Queen Victoria Medal and King Edward Medal) and in India. John shares a grave with Private W. McGill of the Royal Scots who fell on the same day (see main grave photo). Additional grave photo kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. See Directory for John's stepbrother Private Peter Downie's page. Huge thanks to David Owens for John's main grave photo and his British War and Victory Medals. John is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church Roll of Honour (book). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, another photo of John's grave, his British War and Victory Medals, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, John's Pension Records x 2, his Service Record x 23, Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and the Royal Scots Cap Badge. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 2 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and Coatbridge Leader x 1) and the 3rd Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).
