Downward, James
Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers (3rd Battalion)
Rank: Private
Service No: 2698
Boer War service: Embarked 18 Jul 1900 and remained until at least 12 Jun 1901
Date of enlistment: 27 Aug 1898
Date of discharge: 11 Oct 1901
Reason for discharge: Disembodied
Other information: Injured by friendly fire at Fredericstaad. James served in the RWF Reserves and was recalled at the start of WW1. More information regarding this service can be found on our Great War site. James’ brother William also served in the Boer War.
Born: In October 1879 in Bronington, Flintshire, Wales and baptised 18 July 1880 in Bronington Parish Church. However the 1881 records his year of birth as 1880.
Family: He was one of seventeen children born to William Downward, a labourer, and his wife Emma. He married Margaret Davies on 2 December 1903 in Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales and together they had five children – James Archibald, Beatrice May, Maggie, Ernest and Nellie.
Residence: In 1881 he was living in Checkoe Road, Bronington; by 1891 he had moved to 4 Acton Terrace, Acton, Wrexham. In 1901 he was serving in South Africa.
Employment: He was a mason’s labourer when he enlisted.
Death: In April 1957, aged 78, and was buried in Brymbo, Wrexham on 29 May the same year.
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