Downer, Charles (707/14161/7240) aka Dhobi

Place of Birth: Richmond, VIC

Age: 24 years 4 months

Enlistment Details: Wednesday, 19 August 1914 – Albert Park, VIC

Service Number: 707/14161/7240            view online service record

Address:
283 Ross Street
Port Melbourne, VIC

Next of Kin:
Annie Downer (mother)
283 Ross Street
Port Melbourne, VIC

Embarkation Details:
Date: Wednesday, 21 October 1914
Ship: HMAT Orvieto A3
Port: Melbourne, VIC
Unit: 5th Infantry Battalion

Fate:
RTA: Sunday, 20 April 1919
Discharged: Tuesday, 8 July 1919

Charles was born in Richmond in 1890, the son of George and Annie Downer. His brother George Downer enlisted in England and also served during WWI.

Discharged 29 April 1915, medically unfit. Re-enlisted 14 February 1916 (14161), discharged 12 July 1916. Re-enlisted 20 December 1916 (7240).

C ‘Dhobi’ Downer was among a group of members of Port Melbourne Swimming Club members who volunteered for the war and were entertained at Excelsior Hall on Friday 4 September 1914.

1914 ‘OFF TO THE WAR.’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 12 September, p. 4, viewed 6 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91167715

1916 ‘PORT SWIMMING CLUBS.’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 12 February, p. 2, viewed 29 January, 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91164040

C Downer was listed on the Swimming Club Roll of Honour, 25 November 1916.

1916 ‘ROLL OF HONOR.’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 25 November, p. 2. , viewed 04 Nov 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91164781