No.1715728, Gunner, Charles Robert DOWNING
Aged 36
|
Charles Robert Downing was born in Chippenham on 16th April 1909 (Newmarket Q2-1909 3B:487) , baptised in Chippenham on 27th June 1909, the son of
Benjamin and Melinda Harriet DOWNING, (née SMITH). 1911 census.... Aged 1 he was at Queens Square, Chippenham with is father Benjamin DOWNING,[38] farm labourer born Chippenham; his mother Melinda Harriet [39] born Aldershot; sister Amy Alice [3] born Chelsea and brother Walter David [5 months] born in Chippenham. He married Gertrude May STEBBEDS in Mildenhall in Q3-1934. They lived at 15 New Row, Chippenham in 1939. The Memorial in Chippenham seems to be the only place where he is recorded as Robert Charles instead of Charles Robert. |
|
He may well have served in North Africa prior to the invasion of Italy, but we do not have his Army records. 51st Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment was involved in both campaigns. Dying that long after VE Day (8th May 1945), he presumably died in an accident or from illness. |
© Commonwealth War Graves Commission
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details