Joseph Aloysius Louis Downey

Born in 1880 in West Hartlepool, he was educated at Armstrong College in Newcastle and served with the OTC (Officers Training Corps). In September 1914, he was commissioned, as a Second Lieutenant, in the 12th (Service) Battalion DLI and was then directly promoted to Captain.

He served, however, on the Western Front with the 13th Battalion DLI. He was twice wounded at the Battle of the Somme in September 1916 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, as a Major, in 1917.

In civilian life director of West Hartlepool's library, museum and art gallery, during WW2 Joseph Downey served as a Major in the 18th Battalion Durham Home Guard.