Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Captain and Quartermaster A. Downer, 5/7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, late Regimental Sergeant Major, who landed with the 2nd Battalion from the River Clyde on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 25 April 1915

1914-15 Star (6920 C.Q.M. Sjt. A. Downer. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (6920 W.O. Cl. 2. A. Downer. Hamps. R.); Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5485048 W.O. Cl. II. A. Downer. Hamps. R.) mounted for wear, last with official corrections, generally very fine or better (5) £260-£300

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 July 1916:

‘For distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Monro’s Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.’

Archibald Downer served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in Gallipoli from 25 April 1915. On the latter date he landed with the Battalion at dawn from the S.S. River Clyde at Cape Helles - the Battalion landed on V Beach and suffered heavy casualties, many men were hit while wading ashore in shoulder deep water and many of the wounded were drowned. Three attempts to land were made by men of the Hampshires, Royal Dublin and Royal Munster Fusiliers all of which ended in costly failures. Six of the crew of the River Clyde were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the landing.

Downer advanced to Acting Regimental Sergeant Major and transferred to the 5th Battalion. He was later commissioned, and advanced to Captain and Quartermaster, ‘of the 5/7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (T.A.), who has been awarded the King’s Silver Jubilee medal, is the youngest of the late Mr. C. Downer and of Mrs. Attril, of 11 Simeon Street [Ryde, Isle of Wight], and a former scholar of Holy Trinity School. Capt. Downer enlisted in the regiment in August, 1903, and served abroad with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa, Mauritius, Bermuda, and India. He is one of the few survivors of the 2nd Battalion which took part in the memorable landing from the River Clyde on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25th, 1915. After serving as R.S.M. with the 5/7th he took his discharge on being commissioned Lieutenant and Quartermaster to that battalion in 1927. He was promoted Captain some months ago and is still serving with the regiment at Southampton.’ (Isle of Wight County Press, 13 July 1935, refers)

Sold with copied service papers, and research.