DOWNING, HENRY JOHN, Captain, was born
20 January 1862, son of Samuel Downing, LLD, Professor of Civil Engineering,
Trinity College, Dublin, and of Elizabeth, only daughter of William Plummer,
of Brislington, near Bristol. He was educated at Rugby and Trinity College,
Dublin, and was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Regiment, 29 July
1882. He served with the Hazara Expedition, 1888 (Medal with clasp); was
promoted Captain 20 November 1889; was Adjutant, Royal Irish Regiment 31
October 1898 to 2 July 1901. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902,
as Adjutant, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, from 12 January 1900 to 2
July 1901; operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1903; operations
in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, including actions at Belfast (26 and 27
August) and Lydenberg (5 to 8 September); operations in Orange River Colony,
May to August 1900, including actions at Bethlehem (6 and 7 July) and
Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River,
1900, including action at Colesberg (15 January to 12 February); operations in
the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to March 1902; Station Staff Officer. He was
mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902];
received the Queen's Medal with three clasps; the King's Medal with two
clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London
Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Henry John Downing, Captain, Royal Irish
Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 2 June 1902. He was
promoted to Major 3 July 1901, and to Lieutenant Colonel 12 March 1908. He
retired from the Army 12 March 1912. When the European War commenced he was
appointed to command the 8th Service Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1
October 1914, and proceeded to France in command of same, February 1916;
invalided; appointed to command the 10th (Training) Battalion East Lancashire
Regiment, June 1916; retired January 1918; appointed to command 3rd Volunteer
Battalion Devonshire Regiment October 1918; brought to notice of Secretary of
State for War for valuable services rendered, February 1917; appointed OBE 3
June 1919. He married, in 1887, Emily Harriet, daughter of Captain Arthur
French Lloyd, late 52nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and they had two sons:
Samuel Arthur Lloyd, born 5 September 1890, and Henry Geoffrey Owen, born 3
May 1896.
