Rushden Research Group: J L Downing MM 1944

Rushden Echo September 1944, transcribed by Kay Collins

Guardsman John Leopold Downing M.M.

2620020 5^th Battalion Grenadier Guards

How Rushden Man Won M.M. - Stretcher Bearer's Gallantry Under Fire

Guardsman John Leopold Downing

How a Rushden soldier, the only remaining stretcher bearer in his company, tended the wounded under heavy fire without any protection is told in the official citation covering the award of the Military Medal to Guardsman John Leopold Downing, Grenadier Guards, of 28 Oswald-road, Rushden. The official story is as follows:-

“This Guardsman is a stretcher bearer with a rifle company. At 19.00 hours on 2nd August 1944 this man’s company was forming up for an attack on a ridge just South of Impruneta village when the enemy put down a very heavy concentration of artillery and mortar fire right on top of them. In a few minutes the company suffered over 20 casualties whereupon the remainder were ordered temporarily to occupy some slit trenches nearby. Guardsman Downing who was the only remaining stretcher-bearer, continued to tend the wounded throughout the heaviest of the shelling. He then organised their evacuation and with the help of two Guardsmen from company HQ made no less than 12 trips to the RAP through what continued to be heavy shell and mortar fire and under small arms fire from a post which the enemy had moved up to within 250 yards. He carried out these duties with spectacular courage on the “saddle” of a hill which was bereft of all cover and in circumstances which earned the admiration of his whole company.

This Guardsman’s most gallant action on that day was entirely in conformity with his previous conduct which was well known as he has never missed a day of any of the battles fought by this Battalion.”

Granted an immediate MM

Signed by General H R Alexander
Commander in Chief – Allied Central Mediterranean Force

Regiment’s Pride
Won in Italy, the award was announced in the ‘Evening Telegraph’ last week. In a letter to Guardsman Downing’s wife the Regimental Adjutant says: “I am sure you will be very proud to read what is said, and this is sent with the congratulations of the whole regiment”.

Aged 32, Guardsman Downing is an old boy of Rushden Newton-road School and worked for Mr Robert Marriott, builder, before joining the Army, being well-known as a footballer. He has been overseas since February 1942, and was slightly wounded last July. His mother, Mrs F. A. Downing, resided at Weston Favell, Northampton.

Unidentified newsclip

M.M.- D.C.M. Second Award for Rushden Guardsman
Awarded the M.M. for his conduct as a stretcher-bearer, tending wounded under fire in an action in Italy on 2nd August, Guardsman John Leopold Downing, Grenadier Guards, of 23, Oswald-road, Rushden, now receives the D.C.M.

Guardsman Downing is 32 and married, his wife residing at the above address. He has been in the Army for over four years and abroad since February 1942 when he went to N Africa.

Educated at Rushden Newton-road School, he afterwards worked for Mr Robert Marriott, builder. His mother, Mrs. P. A. Downing, resides at Weston Favell, Northampton.

Evening Telegraph September 1944

Rushden Guardsman Wins M.M. - ‘Good Work While in Action’
The award of the Military Medal has been made to Guardsman John Leopold Downing, Grenadier Guards, of 28 Oswald-road, Rushden, who is serving on the Central Mediterranean.

In a letter received by his wife, Guardsman Downing said that his C.O. had told him it was for ‘good work while in action’.

Guardsman Downing has been in the Army for over four years and abroad since February 1942, when he went to North Africa. He is 32, used to work for Mr. R. Marriott, builder, and is an old scholar of Newton-road School.

As a footballer he used to be quite well-known in the town and played for Rushden Town Reserves and other clubs. He held an interest in boxing and has won a medal for this since being in the Army. He was slightly wounded in July of this year.

He is the second son of Mrs F. A. Downing of Weston Favell, Northampton. A younger brother is in the Army in this country. Two others died last year within a short time of one another, one while serving with the Army in India. [R S Downing]

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