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Mar 5, 1891
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Born in Belleville, Ontario to
John and Mary (nee Phelan) Downey
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Apr 10, 1915
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Attached to the 39th
Battalion for duty from the 15th Regiment Argyle Light Infantry
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Jun 17, 1915
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Attached to the 59th
Battalion in Kingston
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Jul 29, 1915
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Attended the School of
Musketry in the Rockcliffe, Ontario Camp
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Aug 17, 1915
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Rejoined the 59th
Battalion in Kingston
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Sep 17, 1915
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Attested into the 59th
Battalion CEF in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario
Ø Rank Lieutenant
Ø Next of kin given
as John Downey, father, Belleville, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Merchant
o Later noted as Coal
Merchant
Ø Previous military
experience given as 15th Regiment, Argyle Light Infantry for 6
months and the 39th Battalion CEF for 3 months
Ø Religion given as
Roman Catholic
Ø Posted to the 2nd
Reinforcing Draft of the 59th Battalion
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Nov 12, 1915
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The 2nd Reinforcing Draft
embarked the SS Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec
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Nov 23, 1915
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Disembarked in Plymouth,
England and the draft proceeded to the West Sandling Camp where the men were
absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion to continue training
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Jul 1, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the
21st Battalion
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Jul 2, 1916
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After leaving the base depot,
Lieutenant Downey joined the 21st Battalion resting in the Micmac
Camp near Dikkebus, Belgium
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Dec 16, 1916
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Granted 10 days leave
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Dec 26, 1916
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Leave extended to January 15,
1917
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Jan 20, 1917
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Lieutenant Downey rejoined the
battalion in Calonne, France from leave
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Feb 21, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Training Division in Shorncliffe, England pending return to Canada
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Mar 5, 1917
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Embarked the SS Metagama in
Liverpool
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Mar 16, 1917
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Disembarked in Saint John, New
Brunswick and proceeded to Belleville, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength
of the 254th Battalion
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May 17, 1917
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Officer’s Declaration on enlistment in the 254th
Battalion in Belleville, Ontario
Ø Rank Lieutenant
Ø Next of kin given as John Downey, father,
Belleville, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Gentleman
Ø Previous military experience given as 21st
Battalion and 3 months in the Canadian Militia
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
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May 28, 1917
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Taken On Strength of the 2nd
Battalion Reinforcing Draft with the rank of Captain
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Aug 16, 1917
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Attached to the 1st
Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
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Oct 30, 1917
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Resigned his Commission
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Jan 3, 1921
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John Downey Jr. died while a
patient of the Belleville Hospital of a bowel obstruction following surgery
for Appendicitis. He was buried in the
Riverside Cemetery, Napanee, Ontario
The British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, John
Downey, 158 Bridge St. E., Belleville, Ontario
The Memorial Cross was sent to
his mother, Mrs. Mary Downey, at the same address
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