DOWNER, Austin Reginald

Credit: CWC

Lance Corporal

1st/8th Battalion Isle of Wight Rifles

Hampshire Regiment

Austin was born 1895 in Newport to Frederick & Matilda of 99 Hunnyhill, Newport.

April 1917, during the 2nd Battle of Gazza, the Rifles crossed 2,500 yards of open ground, they were severely exposed & suffered heavy causalities. Even so, they did capture a redoubt with the support of a tank, though this was knocked out when the Turks counter-attacked & recaptured the position. The Hampshires lost 23 officers & more than 400 other ranks.

Austin was reported Missing Presumed Killed in Action on the 19th of April 1917, & he is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial with 3,310 of his comrades.

Austin is also remembered on the County, Newport Borough & IW Rifles War Memorials.

CWGC Casualty Record

Cemetary

Sons & Daughters Commemorated Far From Home

Those from the Newport & Carisbrooke area who are buried or commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission outside of the area, both in the UK and in other countries.

‍

The image is of the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery & Memorial in Belgium.