1939-45 Star; Africa Star clasp 1st Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal bar Militia (1987118 SPR. J.E. DOWNSBY. R.E.)
John Eric Downsby was born in Manchester in 1917. He attested for service with the Royal Engineers in WWII , serving with the 110th (East Lancs) Army Troop Coy RE. They had a very busy war starting with their evacuation from Dunkirk in June 1940 and continuing until almost the last shot was fired in anger. To provide an idea of what service Downsby saw we have provided the timeline of one of his comrades in the 110th which mirrors where he would have served.
Oct 1939 to June 1940 France (42nd Division and 46th Division); 1940 to 1942 in Scotland - training; 1942 to 1943 (1st Army) in North Africa; 1943 to 1943 - Invasion of Sicily (8th Army); 1943 to 1944 - Invasion of Italy (8th Army and the 5th Army); 1944 to 1945 - Liberation of Greece and Salonika - 4th Indian Division; 1945 - Occupation of Austria.
His Efficiency Medal was awarded in 1946 and his WWII medals were posted to him on 17 June 1949 to 5 Attwood Street, Lowsight, Manchester, Lancs.
He died in Manchester in 1974.
Sold with some research. Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
