Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Warrant Officer Class II G. Downes, 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was killed in action at the Battle of Mons on 23 August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force’s first full day of fighting on the Western Front

British War and Victory Medals (L-6002 W.O. Cl. 2. G. Downes. Midd’x R.) good very fine (2) £140-£180

George Downes was born in St. Leonard’s, Sussex, and attested for the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) at Hounslow, Middlesex. He served with the 3rd Battalion during the Boer War guarding Boer Prisoners of War on St. Helena (entitled to a no clasp Queen’s South Africa Medal), and then with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914, and was killed in action at Mons on 23 August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force’s first full day of fighting on the Western Front.

On this day the Battalion was charged with the defence of Oburg Railway Station, a key point on the Mons-Conde canal. Two Companies were placed along the canal, with “D” Company in the railway station area, and another Company in reserve in the woods. The Germans pressed hard against these positions, inflicting heavy losses with artillery from the higher positions on the opposite side of the canal. One account recalls:
‘To the right of Nimy Bridge the 4th Middlesex were in the meanwhile putting up a no less stubborn defence, and against equally desperate odds. Major Davey, whose company was on the left, in touch with the right of the Royal Fusiliers, had fallen early in the day, and the position at that point finally became so serious that Major Abell’s company was rushed up from the reserve to support it. During this advance Major Abell himself, Captain Knoles and Second Lieutenant Henstock were killed, and a third of the rank and file fell, but the balance succeeded in reaching the firing line trenches and, with this stiffening added, the position was successfully held for the time being.’

However, later in the day the line faltered and the enemy began to outflank the battalion which began a withdrawal through the Bois d’Harve, the wood to the south of Obourg Railway Station. A rear-guard was fought at the railway station, with an unknown private firing from the station roof until he was finally hit and killed. Total casualties for the battalion on this day were 9 Officers and 453 other ranks killed, wounded, or taken Prisoner of War.

Downes is buried in St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium.

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