India General Service 1854-95, 3 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89, Hazara 1888 (Surgeon Major K. M. Downie, I.M.S.) good very fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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Kenneth MacKenzie Downie was born on 15 July 1845, and received his medical training at the University of Vienna and that of Munich. He became a M.B. and C.M. in 1866, and a M.D., Edinburgh, in 1875. He later gained a S.S.C., Cambridge, (Sanitary Science Certificate) in 1876.

Downie was appointed Assistant Surgeon, Bengal Medical Establishment, on 1 October 1868, becoming Surgeon on 1 July 1873, and Surgeon Major on 29 December 1884. During his first seven years he served with the 21st Native Infantry at Meean Meer, at the Calcutta Medical College Hospital, and in medical charge of the 36th Native Infantry at Peshawar and later at Jhelum. He was later stationed at Agra with the 36th N.I., but resigned on 14 February 1875 to undertake further medical studies. He was re-appointed a Surgeon on 15 May 1879 and then served with the 16th N.I.

In 1880 he was serving as Civil Surgeon at Bhagalpore, and in 1881 he was with the 28th N.I. In 1883 he was with the 44th (Sylhet) Native (Light) Infantry at Kohima, and he appears in a group photograph taken that year with the officers of the regiment. On 9 August 1884, he was appointed to the 29th N.I. at Agra, and thereafter at Peshawar, Jhelum, at Camp on the Samana Ridge, and lastly again at Jhelum and then at Meerut. During this service he took part in operations in Burma, in the Ruby Mines Expedition, and later in the Hazara Expedition, including the action at Kotkai (Medal with three clasps).

Downie was promoted Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 December 1892, and retired on 1 April 1893. Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel K. M. Downie died at Cannes in France on 17 February 1912, aged 66. Sold with further details including two copied group photographs which include Downie with officers of the 36th N.I. in 1871 and with the 44th N.I. in 1883.