ARTHUR GEORGE DOWNES
Born: 1887, at 120, Fore Street, Ipswich.
Baptised: 13th February 1889, at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich, with his sister Alice Mabel Downes, born 18th November 1888 – family home at 120, Fore Street, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.
Died: 12th November 1918; age: 31; of Tuberculosis of the Lungs – 12 months, at 19, Stanley Avenue, Ipswich. Served 1 year & 87 days.
The informant of the death was Arthur’s brother-in-law, Harry Collings, of 70, Devonshire Road, Ipswich.
Residence: 19, Stanley Avenue, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Butcher.
Enlistment Details: Location: Ipswich; Date: 5th June 1916; Age: 29 years & 6 months. Height: 5ft & 8 1/2ins.
Discharged: 30th August 1917 – Physically Unfit. Address: 19, Stanley Avenue, Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 349944.
Regiment: Labour Corps, 583rd Home Service Employment Coy.
Formerly a Private, 10467, for the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), 3rd Battalion.
Grave Reference:
R. 25. 20A.
Ipswich Old Cemetery,
Ipswich.
Brother-in-law to THOMAS COLLINGS.
CENSUS
1891 120, Fore Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 4 years old and living with his parents & sisters.
Arthur George Downes, 29, a Butcher – own account, born Halesworth.
Alice Downes (nee Frost), 28, born Ipswich.
Kate Downes, 5, born Ipswich.
Alice Mabel Downes, 2, born Ipswich.
1 domestic servant.
1 butcher’s apprentice.
1901 120, Fore Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 14 years old and living with his widowed mother & sisters.
Alice Downes, 36, a Butcher’s Shopkeeper – own account.
Mabel, 12.
Ethel May Downes, 10, born Ipswich.
1 domestic servant.
1911 19, Stanley Avenue, Ipswich.
Arthur was 24 years old, a Journeyman Butcher. He was married and Head of the Household.
Annie, 31.
Arthur’s brother, Herbert Harold Downes, died on the 31st October 1895, at 120, Fore Street, aged 2 years and 7 months.
Arthur’s sister, Kate Downes, died on the 22nd September 1900, at 120, Fore Street, aged 15 years.
Arthur’s father, Arthur George Downes, died on the 11th February 1896, at 120, Fore Street, Ipswich, aged 32.
After her husband’s death, Alice Downes announced in the local newspapers that she would continue to run the butcher’s business, which her late husband had carried on.
For Christmas, Alice Downes secured some of the choicest beef and mutton that had been grazed locally for this season.
In October 1905, Mr. John William Mercer bought the butcher and slaughterhouse establishment at 120, Fore Street, from Alice Downes. John Mercer would continue to supply the best quality English beef, mutton, and pork, at 28, Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, and at 120, Fore Street, Ipswich.
On the 1st March 1909, Ipswich, Arthur married Annie Collings, born January 1880, Ipswich – daughter of Edward Thomas Collings, a market gardener – own account, and Julia Collings (nee Clodd), of 2, Lincoln Villas, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Annie Gower – widow.
May 2023:
A request has been submitted to the C.W.G.C. for Arthur George Downes to be investigated and considered a missed commemoration.
LABOUR CORPS.
Formed in January 1917, the 389,900 men, 10% of the total size of the British Army. Many of the men had already served in other units and were taken on following being wounded and then being made fit for duty “A1” condition. The companies were employed in general labouring and fetching, and carrying within range of the enemy guns, and sometimes used as emergency infantry during significant enemy offensives.
Labour Corps units were sometimes classed as second-class soldiers but were an essential part of the British Army.
Labour Corps, Buffs:
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/buffs-east-kent-regiment/
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-labour-corps-of-1917-1918/
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