The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name of the deceased 'GARNET RONALD DOWNER'.
Garnet Ronald Downer was born in Glebe, New South Wales in 1885. He was a bush worker and Militia soldier serving with the 29th Infantry Regiment (Australian Rifles) before enlisting in the AIF in August 1914, where he was assigned the service number 243 and posted to C Company, 1st Battalion.
Private Downer embarked on HMAT Afric on 18 October 1914 with 1 Battalion. He survived the Gallipoli campaign and, by now a sergeant, moved with his battalion to the Western Front in March 1916. He was killed during a raid on the German trenches on the night of 29/30 June 1916 near Fromelles, France. Downer's body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial. This commemorative plaque was sent to his brother, Aubrey Macquarie Downer, in November 1921.
Downer was awarded a posthumous retrospective Military Medal in October 1916 for his actions at Lone Pine, Gallipoli in August 1915. The recommendation the award reads, 'For outstanding courage and determination during the operations at Lone Pine, when he personally led a counter attack in company with Sergeant Gelding and succeeded in holding the trench by means of bombs.'
Military Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Awarded to 243 Sergeant G R Downer, 1 Battalion, AIF. Garnet Ronald Downer was born in Glebe, New South Wales in 1885. He was
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Victory Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 243 Sergeant G R Downer, 1 Battalion, AIF. Garnet Ronald Downer was born in Glebe, New South Wales in 18
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
British War Medal 1914-20. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 243 Sergeant G R Downer, 1 Battalion, AIF. Garnet Ronald Downer was born in Glebe, New South
1914-15 Star. Impressed on reverse with recipient's details. Associated with the service of 243 Sergeant G R Downer, 1 Battalion, AIF. Garnet Ronald Downer was born in Glebe, New South Wales in 1885
