Five: Serjeant F. Downs. Royal Fusiliers - a member of Barton’s Fusilier Brigade, killed in action when serving with the 8th Battalion in France, 27 August 1916

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6478 Pte., 2nd Royal Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (6478 Pte., Rl. Fusiliers); 1914-15 Star (G-7753 Cpl., R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (SR-7753 Sjt., R. Fus.) very fine and better (5) £550-650

Frederick Downes was born in Stepney, London. A member of the 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, he attested for regular service with the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow on 1 July 1898. With the 2nd Battalion he served in the Boer War, 22 October 1899-25 March 1902. Early on in South Africa he served in the 100-strong Barton’s Fusilier Brigade, earning the clasp for the ‘Relief of Mafeking’. In March 1902 he was posted to the 1st Battalion in Burma, where he served until November 1903, then in India where he served until February 1911. He was discharged on 30 June 1911.

Returning to the Colours for the Great War, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 29 November 1914, serving as a Corporal in the 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. As a Sergeant in the 8th Battalion he was killed in action on 27 August 1916. He was buried in the Agny Military Cemetery.

With copied service papers, roll extracts confirming clasps, m.i.c. and casualty details.