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Post by angrynine on Jun 20, 2016 11:49:16 GMT
I'm looking for any information about Charles Harold Downs and in special some pictures.
I'm researching for several years now all the 25 War Graves in my hometown Schoonebeek (Schoonebeek), finally this year I was able to give 22 grave a picture. Still 3 to go and one of them is Charles Harold Downs.
War Graves Schoonebeek
What I know until now:
Rank: Sergeant Trade: Air gunner Service no: 1101786 Date of birth: 1918 Son of: George and Alice Downs (maiden name Greenwood) and brother of Doris (born 1914), of Salford, Lancashire. Occupation father: Crane Driver Possible home address: 99 Hartington street Salford. Baptism: 18 September 1918 St Clement, Salford, Lancashire. Baptised by: F. Watmough Asst. Curate Fiancee: Edna Possible home address: 65 Harlington street Salford. Date of death: 18 November 1943
Regiment/service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 101 Sqdn. Cemetery: Schoonebeek, the Netherlands. Grave Reference: Plot 3. Row 1. Grave 742.
Charles Harold Downs was part of the Lancaster LM370 SR-K2 crew, shot down on 18 November 1943 by German night fighter on its return flight from a mission on Berlin all crew killed (8 KIA). Crash location Schoonebeek, the Netherlands.
Sadly enough his medals were sold in auction on 3 August 2010: Lot: 29 THE AIR CREW EUROPE STAR WITH RIBBON -POSTHUMUS AWARD TO 1101786 SERGEANT C.H DOWNS Together with LETTER DATED 20/11/1943 informing his mother that his aricraft had been lost over enemy territory the night of 18/19th November, 1943 signed by G.A Carey-Foster,wing commander No 101 Squadron R.A.F and the original postal package.
Any help is welcome,
Rob
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Post by shred on Jun 20, 2016 17:58:58 GMT
Hi Rob, Welcome to SWARM. The following article was published 03/12/1943. I am quite sure that the pictures are published in order of those named underneath. I will check the local papers when I next visit the Local History Library (hopefully this Wednesday evening). Garry
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Post by shred on Jun 20, 2016 18:19:45 GMT
Two more clippings.
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Post by shred on Jun 20, 2016 18:24:38 GMT
Charles is commemorated on the St Clements Church, Ordsall, memorial.
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Post by angrynine on Jun 21, 2016 17:17:22 GMT
Hi Garry,
This amazing good information!!!! Thank you in the first place, I never dreamed about such a fast result!!!
Are you able and willing to send the files to my email account I can provide you?
Thank you again, and I'm looking forward for the results of your visit to the archive!! Rob
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Post by shred on Jun 21, 2016 19:36:51 GMT
Rob,
I will send the files to the email address that you used to register with our forum.
I am sorry to say that I will not be at the library tomorrow, I forgot that I am attending a concert. I will now be visiting on the 29/06.
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Post by angrynine on Jun 21, 2016 19:53:17 GMT
Hi Garry,
Okay, thank you!
No problem, enjoy your concert!!!!!!!!!!
If you in any case do find a trace to a relative I can contact please let me know....
I owe you one!
Best regards,
Rob
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Post by shred on Jul 1, 2016 7:54:31 GMT
Rob, This is all I found in the Salford Reporter. I could not find any follow up articles or obits. Published 17th December 1943
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Post by angrynine on Jul 1, 2016 10:49:08 GMT
Hello Garry,
Again thank you!!!
This is a great find and absolute welcome.....
Mrs. Downs did have a hard time, first the death of her husband in 1938 and 5 years later her only son.
Poor woman to have this hard deal to handle.....
I did find out that the medals of Charles were sold in an auction several years ago, I did try to trace the collector who bought them but I was unlucky.
Again I want to express my appreciation for all your effort to help me!!
For sure your findings are a major breakthrough in many years of searching for information about Charles Harold Downs!
Best regards,
Rob
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Post by shred on Nov 14, 2016 19:08:51 GMT
Rob has kindly sent this image of Charles's gravestone which now has Charles's picture proudly displayed by its side. Well done to Rob for keeping alive the memory of the servicemen buried Schoonebeek Cemetery. Our thanks to you and please keep up the excellent work.
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Post by angrynine on Nov 15, 2016 10:25:26 GMT
Dear Garry,
Thank you for the compliments!
It is a great pleasure to keep the remembrance of these men alive. Charles was 1 of the 3 men without a face, and it please me a lot to see how combined effort could give Charles his face back.
I attached a picture (from 11 November) of all the war graves in Schoonebeek with a brand new Poppy cross at the graves. On Christmas Eve, I will place a candlelight by 101 Bomber Command war graves on 9 cemeteries in my region, of course the men in Schoonebeek will a candlelight too.
www.facebook.com/wargravesschoonebeek
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Post by angrynine on Nov 18, 2016 10:10:23 GMT
“Lest we forget”
Today 73 years ago on 18 November 1943 the 'Battle of Berlin' begins……
The Lancaster LM370 SR-K2 took part as a ABC equipped Lancaster in the first massive raid of the “The Battle of Berlin” on 18–19 November 1943. Berlin was the main target, and was attacked by 440 Lancasters aided by 4 Mosquitos. Few German fighters intercepted the Bomber force, 9 Lancasters were lost.
Berlin was completely cloud-covered and both marking and bombing were carried out blindly. Bomber Command could make no assessment of the results; many bombs fell outside the city and the local report lists much damage and loss at farms.
On its return flight from their mission to Berlin the Irish pilot Flying Officer Charles Patrick McManus and his crew, flying the Lancaster LM370 SR-K2 were attacked at 23.12 hrs. over Schoonebeek and shot down by German night fighter pilot Feldwebel Rudi Frank flying a JU 88 of 2./NJG 3. The Lancaster crashed close to Schoonebeek and the entire crew lost their lives.
Let’s keep the remembrance alive of what Barry Kingsley Petyt, Anthony Ezra Rosen, Charles Harold Downs, George Philip Herman, Guy Dermot Spyers, Kenneth Jones, George Herbert Gittins and Charles Patrick McManus did for our freedom. The entire crew of Lancaster LM370 SR-K2 is buried on the cemetery in Schoonebeek in the Netherlands.
Rest In Peace.
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