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Jul 14, 1897
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Born in Toronto, Ontario to Robert and Caroline
“Carrie” (nee McKeand) Downey
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Oct 15, 1917
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Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act)
of 1917 held at Toronto, Ontario
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| Feb 20, 1918 |
Conscripted into the 1st
Depot Battalion, 2nd COR (Central Ontario Regiment) under the MSA
in Hamilton, Ontario
Ø Number 3107853
Ø Next of kin given as Robert
David Downey, father, 145 Gore Vale Ave., Toronto, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Cutter
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of
England
Ø Posted to the 25th
Regimental Draft
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| May 15, 1918 |
the 25th Regimental
Draft embarked the SS Ajana in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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| May 27,
1918 |
Disembarked
in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Witley and was Taken On Strength of
the 3rd Reserve Battalion to continue training
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Sep 12, 1918
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Transferred to the 19th Battalion
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Sep 13, 1918
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Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Havre, France and was Taken On Strength of the 19th
Battalion. He was quickly moved on to
the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France
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Sep 21, 1918
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Sep 22, 1918
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After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private
Downey joined the 21st Battalion in the support line on the Arras
– Cambrai Road, just west of the Canal du Nord and was posted to “D” Company
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Dec 13, 1918
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The 21st Battalion led the 2nd
Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying
Force and proceeded to Siegburg
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Apr 3, 1919
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Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France
On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley
pending return to Canada
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May 14, 1919
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Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool
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May 22, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to Kingston, Ontario by train
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May 24, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge Private
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 277355
Ø Proposed residence on discharge,
Toronto, Ontario
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at 145 Gore Vale Ave., Toronto, Ontario
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Jun 7, 1924
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Married to Lillian Mahala Tester in Toronto,
Ontario
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Sep 25, 1967
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William David Downey died while a patient of the
St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in Prospect
Cemetery in Toronto
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