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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Watson Downer

In memory of:

Pilot Officer William Watson Downer

April 16, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

J/86143

Age:

20

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Honours and Awards:

Distinguished Flying Cross

Additional Information


Son of James Arthur and Rhoda Downer, of Midland, Ontario, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 294 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

MALTA MEMORIAL
Malta

Grave Reference:

Panel 16, Column 1.

Location:

The MALTA MEMORIAL is situated in the area of Floriana and is easily identified by the Golden Eagle which surmounts the column. It stands outside the King's Gate, the main entrance to Valletta. The Memorial takes the form of a column fifteen metres high of travertine marble from Tivoli in the Sabine Hills near Rome, incised with a a light reticulated pattern and surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle two metres high. The column stands on a circular base around which the names are commemorated on bronze panels. The MALTA MEMORIAL, built on a site generously provided by the Government of Malta, commemorates those who lost their lives whilst serving with the Commonwealth Air Forces flying from bases in Austria, Italy, Sicily, islands of the Adriatic and Mediterranean, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, West Africa, Yugoslavia and Gibraltar, and who have no known grave. The bravery of the people of the island of Malta between the years 1940 - 1942 was honoured with the unique award of the George Cross.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of William Watson Downer– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of William Watson Downer– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of William Watson Downer– Bill, John and Jim Downer. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Correspondence– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Correspondence– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Correspondence– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Attestation paper– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Attestation paper– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter of recommendation– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Correspondence– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star February 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star March 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Owen Sound Sun Times May 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Barrie Examiner c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WILLIAM WATSON DOWNER– In memory of the students from Midland High School who served during World War 11 and did not return. Photos submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me, on behalf of Midland Legion Branch 80 190 Queen St. Midland, Ontario.
  • At the farm.
  • Photo of William Watson Downer
  • Photo of Bill Downer– Bill Downer is seen posing with his sister Frances.
  • Photo of Bill Downer
  • Photo of Bill Downer– Bill in civilian garb
  • Group Photo– Bill Downer is seen here posing with his unit.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Newspaper clipping.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Newspaper clipping.
  • Letter– Letter of Condolences from the King
  • Poem– A poem dedicated to Uncle Bill
  • Names of the Fallen– Midland High School list of those killed in the Second World War.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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