Mexborough and Swinton Times, September 2, 1916

Stuck to his Gun

Sergeant Eric Downing (R.F.A.)

who has just been wounded a second time, won the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Givenchy on 26 March.

He was in charge of a trench mortar battery, and stuck to his post, although, in the course of the repeated German attacks one of the trench mortars were blown up, inflicting injury on the gunners.

He remained for many hours at his station, and it was owing to his courageous steadfastness that the section resisted the severe pressure applied to it by the enemy.

Sgt Downing’s home is at Pinfold Lane, Mexborough.