Private William Henry Downing

Army Number: 3846

Battalion: 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Born 28th June 1895, Derby. Son of Richard and Rose Isabel Downing, of 33, Meadow Lane, Chaddesden, Derby.He was a fitters laborer prior to enlisting 11th August, 1915 at Derby. He went to France 11th November 1914. and suffered accidental shrapnel wounds to his right arm during bomb throwing practice at Poperinghe Wood, 12th June 1916. He was treated at 12 Casualty <<Clearing Station at Hazebrouck, Belgium and 18 General Hospital, cammieres, before being transfeered to England on Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen 23rd June 1916. H e returned to France 31st >December 1916 and was killed in action,2 5th August 1917, aged 23. in the attack at the Knoll, Lempire.

Buried/Commemorated: Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile, France. Plot 1. Row H. Grave 22.

He is also commemorated on the chaddesden war Memorial.