Private 2940028 James Downey

BMD details:
Birth of James Downey son of Reginald & Maria Downey nee Statter reg Q2 1920 Prescot. Vol 8b page 1635

Census details:
1939 Register. Unfortunately four members of the household are redacted including James. Father Reginald Downey born 14/101895 a Timekeeper Corporation. Mother Maria Downey born 17/03/1894 an Unpaid Domestic and Maria's father Breithwaite Statter born 29/02/1896 a Colliery Haulage (Below) are living at 67 Cambridge Road, St Helens. The family are transcribed DAWNEY in the register.

Notes:
[url=lmem.php?lmem=34]Remembered on St Helens Parish Church Memorial.[/url]

James Downey was born in St Helens in the Spring of 1920, the second child to Reginald Downey and his wife Maria, nee Statter. The family lived at 67, Cambridge Road, St Helens. During the Second World War, he served with t 2nd Bn, Special Air Service (Army Air Corps). This unit was formed early in 1944 when the 1st and 2nd SAS Regiments returned from operations in North Africa and Italy. At this stage, it isn't clear who James Downey served with prior to his posting to 2nd SAS, though he did sere in North Africa. Following the invasion of Normandy in July 1944, the SAS embarked upon a series of 'behind the lines' operations, intended to harass and disrupt German operations, and also causing the Germans to divert troops away from the front line to deal with the SAS. One such operation was Operation Wallace, mounted on 19th August 1944. A force of 60 men, commanded by Major Roy Farran, landed at Rennes Airfield, which was now held by the Allies. Using 20 jeeps, their mission was to advance over 200 miles behind the German lines and to link up with a force of 50 SAS troopers to the north of Dijon. They were then to attack the retreating German forces and disrupt their lines of communication Although the first 50 miles or so of their journey was uneventful, they ultimately made contact with German forces and started to take casualties. At the same time, they were joined by men from the various elements of the French resistance, who had been waiting their turn to attack the enemy. On 10th September, James unit was close to the small French town of Varennes, close to a German unit, when he was accidentally shot while getting out of his jeep. Tended by his companions and a French lady, madam Lepoan, he passed away a few hours later. His comrades carried him to the local cemetery at Varennes where w as buried. In September 1946, a memorial was erected in the town of Andilly, in the Haute Marne region, to the local men who had fallen while fighting the Germans as part of the Resistance movement, and this memorial also bears the name of James Downey. The images below show the memorial on the day of dedication and as it looks when visited by James Downey's family in 2000. [pic]tpics/J_Downey_1.jpg[/pic] [pic]tpics/J_Downey_4.jpg[/pic] [pic]tpics/J_Downey_8.jpg[/pic] At the time of this visit, the family also met up with Mme Lucie Lepoan, a relative of Madame Lepoan who comforted James as he lay dying. Below we see a picture of Madame Lepoan and her relation (probably daughter-in-law) stood by the memorial to James Downey which is located outside the farm where he was shot. The memorial is very well maintained by the local people. [pic]tpics/J_Downey_12.jpg[/pic] [pic]tpics/J_Downey_11.jpg[/pic] Madame Lepoan write to the parents of James shortly after the war, and the translated letter reads as follows, [i]'Here is some news about the death of our James. On the 11/9/44, that is to say the unforgettable days when your compatriots delivered us from the Boche, your brother was with his comrades waiting for the Boche who were 800 metres away. Descending from his jeep he was struck by a machine gun bullet. (The next two lines in the original letter could not be read well enough to translate). Fearing what the Boche would do when they arrived, I asked my husband and my son and his chief to take him to the house. His chief dare not leave him and although his pain was great I asked them to carry him off straight away. His friends offered to go for a doctor, who alas! could do nothing. My husband watched for the enemy, our dear wounded friend stayed with my son and myself we soothed his last moments as much as we possibly could. He rested in my arms as if I were his own mother. I told him sweet words which he must have understood for his look never left me. I hugged him as if he were my own son, and after two hours spent in this fashion he passed away peacefully holding my hand in his. This was an occasion of grief for us and we wept very much, as though he were one of our own for we had adopted him. His comrades carried him to Varennes where he was buried.'[/i] Her son also wrote to the Downey family, and an extract from that letter reads, [i]'Your letter was forwarded to me for I was near your brother when he fell and I am in a position to give you all the details.[/i] [i]The bullet entered him above the heart, and he died bravely about two hours later in the arms of my mother and in the presence of members of my family as if he had been my own brother.[/i] [i]In the evening his body was carried off to Varennes where he was piously buried with the assistance of all good French (Presumably he meant all fellow members of the Resistance).[/i] [i]If you want any more details write to me, I shall be glad to reply to you but I can tell you your brother died a hero's death bravely.'[/i] The War Office wrote to the family, informing them of their son's burial place. [pic]tpics/J_Downey_14.jpg[/pic] The letter reproduced below was sent to the family by the Office Commanding James Downey's 'stick'. [pic]tpics/J_Downey_15.jpg[/pic] [pic]tpics/J_Downey_16.jpg[/pic] [pic]tpics/J_Downey_17.jpg[/pic] [pic]tpics/J_Downey_18.jpg[/pic] And this was received from the Adjutant of the SAS [pic]tpics/J_Downey_19.jpg[/pic] The final image shown below is of Pte Downey's grave. This picture was taken by James' brother, Harry, on a family visit in 2000.   [pic]tpics/J_Downey_24.jpg[/pic] (Photos and information courtesy of Harry Downey) Served in "C Squadron" 2nd SAS. Accidentally killed during Operation Wallace. 19 Aug - 19 Sept 1944, Operation 'Wallace' Jeep operation in Dijon France 60 men from 2 SAS in 23 jeeps (divided into three groups) landed at Rennes, tasked with strengthening SAS bases in the area, later attacked the German HQ in Chatillon. They then went on to harrass the Germans futher by destroyning fuel dumps, breaking communications and disrupting German troop movements. Suffering only "a few" casualties that SAS killed 500 Germans, detroyed 95 Vehicles, a train and blown-up over 100,000 Gallons of valuable fuel.