Lance Corporal George H G D Downing

George Henry Gerald David Downing was the grandson of George Henry and Clarice Mary (Hill) Downing, of Rushall, Staffordshire, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Lance Corporal Downing successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 81 from 6 to 16 September 1943. His course report stated “Keen but needs observing”. He was posted to Attack Platoon, 8th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (‘D’ day landings), Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), and Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

L/Cpl Downing was killed in action on 28 March 1945, aged 21, whilst taking part in the Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity) and was given a field burial at Lembeck, Germany, and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 13 May 1947.

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