Set in stone, city’s honour for hero
OCTOBER 23, 1916 was a day so brutal and bloody that Sergeant Robert Downie only spoke of it once.
At the village of Lesboeufs in northern France, the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers came under attack from German soldiers on the 115th day of the Battle of the Somme.
After incurring heavy casualties, it seemed as if all was lost. Until a wounded Sgt Downie rallied his men, attacked a German machine gun crew and gained control of the village.
His actions were so commended that he was awarded the highest award for gallantry in the face of battle – the Victoria Cross.
And yesterday, exactly a century after he was handed the honour, a paving stone was unveiled in his memory in Glasgow. It is the fifth in a series of stones to be laid in the city as a permanent reminder of the bravery of Glasgow’s servicemen awarded the Victoria Cross during the Great War.
Relatives of the decorated soldier were in attendance, including his granddaughter Helena Casserly, 72, from Ayrshire, and his niece Amy Birnie, 84, from Dunbartonshire.
Mrs Casserly said: ‘I’m extremely proud of my grandfather.
‘He was a very private man and it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate his bravery.’
Sgt Downie was born in the Springburn area of Glasgow in 1894. After leaving school to work beside his father at the Hydepark Locomotive works, he joined the Army at 18.
He was posted to France in August 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force and jokingly said to his wife, Ivy Sparkes: ‘I’ll fetch you something worth looking at.’ She was said to have replied: ‘That will be a German helmet.’
The sergeant saw heavy fighting from the start of the campaign on the Western Front and endured a gas attack, during which he earned the Military Medal. But it was his exceptional heroism on that bloody October day that led to his Victoria Cross.
His citation was printed in the supplement to the London Gazette on November 25, 1916. It read: ‘His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned: No. 11213 Serjeant Robert Downie, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack.
‘When most of the officers had become casualties, this noncommissioned officer, utterly regardless of personal danger moved about under heavy fire and reorganised the attack, which had been temporarily checked.
‘At the critical moment he rushed forward alone, shouting “Come on, the Dubs.” This stirring appeal met with immediate response and the line rushed forward at his call.’
The citation continued: ‘Serjeant Downie accounted for several of the enemy, and in addition captured a machine-gun, killing the team.
‘Though wounded early in the fight, he remained with his company and gave valuable assistance whilst the position was being consolidated.
‘It was owing to Serjeant Downie’s courage and initiative that this important position, which had resisted four or five previous attacks, was won.’
On his homecoming, Sgt Downie arrived at Glasgow Central Station to be greeted by hundreds of people who carried him shoulder-Glasgow’s high to a taxi. His home street was decorated with flags and bunting and lined with huge crowds.
He told the Press: ‘Every man in the regiment won the VC that day.’
After that, he never spoke of it to anyone again.
More than 200 men from his home street had joined the Army, 16 of which were killed and five had lost limbs.
His paving stone was unveiled by Lord Provost Sadie Docherty outside the People’s Palace – a museum that chronicles Glaswegians’ lives.
The Lord Provost said: ‘Sgt Robert Downie is far more than a local hero.
He ranks among the very few men in the Great War who survived while carrying out the ultimate act of valour – risking his life to save the lives of his comrades.
‘His bravery then was lauded and well documented by the media. He deserves our utmost respect.’
King George V presented Sgt Downie with his Victoria Cross at Sandringham, Norfolk, on January 8, 1917.
After the war, Sgt Downie became a groundsman and turnstile cashier at Celtic Football Club.
He died in 1968, aged 74, and is buried in St Kentigern’s Cemetery in Glasgow.
‘Wonderful to celebrate bravery’
‘Devotion to duty in attack’