No.G/65738, Private, Christopher DOWNING
Aged 30
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Christopher Downing was born in Chippenham in 1887 (Newmarket Q1-1887 3B:535), baptised in Chippenham on 13th March 1887. He was the son of Samuel and
Elizabeth DOWNING (née KEMP) 1891 census... Aged 4 he was at 1 New Row, Chippenham with his father Samuel DOWNING [34], an agricultural labourer, born in Chippenham; his mother [29], born in Finningham; his brother George [7] born in Chippenham and sisters Sarah [6] and Elizabeth J.[9 months], both born in Chippenham. 1901 census... Aged 14, an agricultural labourer, he was still at 1 New Row, Chippenham with his parents, brother George and sisters Sarah and Elizabeth, also new siblings, Emily [7], Ethel[3] and Bessie [8 months] all born in Chippenham. 1911 census... Aged 24, still single and a domestic gardener, he was still at 1 New Row, Chippenham with his parents, brother George, sisters Ethel and Bessie, new brother Ernest [8] and sister Nellie [5] both born in Chippenham. Of nine children, one had died. On June 6th 1914, in Chippenham, he married Ethel Maud BISHOP [31-5-1890] (Newmarket Q2-1914 3B:1203). They had two children, Ethel May [19-1-1915] and Christopher [31-12-1916]. The pension card originally had the family at c/o Mrs Horne, Pattiswick, nr Braintree, deleted, and Chippenham, Cambs inserted. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket and his residence was given as Snailwell It looks like Christopher was the only man of the 2nd battalion, Royal Fusiliers, killed that day, a lull in fighting immediately before the start of 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele) on the 31st July |
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