DOWNER, Percy Field (1886-1951)
Born at Albert Park in 1886. Son of Harold Field Downer and Leila Maria Winstanley. Percy married Florence Annie Rose (1887-1964).
Percy was a 27 year old grazier living at Monalto in Steels Creek when he enlisted on the 25 Sept 1914. Percy left Melbourne on the Ulysses on 22 December 1914 with the 14th Battalion H Company. The 144h Battalion joined the 13th, 15th and 16th Battalions to form the 4th Brigade commanded by Colonel John Monash and arrived in Egypt on 31 January 1915. As part of the ANZAC Division the 4th Brigade landed at what is now known as ANZAC Cove on the afternoon of 25 April 1915. Percy returned to Alexandria in July 1915 suffering from bronchitis. The Medical Board in Melbourne later determined that he had suffered the disease since childhood and this was aggravated by the cold climate he encountered in Egypt and became worse on the Gallipoli peninsula. Percy left Egypt to return to Australia in 15 August 1915.
Percy Downer continued to be an active member of the local community. He was one of the first presidents of the RSL Yarra Glen Branch in the 1920s. and was a Councillor of the Eltham Shire. He retired to Moe where he died in 1951. Percys war service is commemorated on the Steels Creek Honor Roll
