| Regimental number | 36430 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Dunedin |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20.5 |
| Height | 5' 11" |
| Weight | 146 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Grace Downes, Waitati, Otago |
| Previous military service | Served in Coastal Defence, Port Chalmers; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Rifleman |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade Reinforcements, G Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 75 Waitemata on |
| Final rank | Rifleman |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 19 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 7), Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Thomas and Grace Downes, Waitati, Dunedin |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 8/149 Pte Thomas Stephen DOWNES, Otago Infantry Regiment, killed in action, 26-30 April 1915. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington, 19 January 1917; admitted to ship's hospital, at sea, 13 March 1917 (influenza); discharged to duty, 24 March 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 28 September 1917, and marched into Sling Camp. Proceeded overseas to France, 6 July 1917; joined 2nd Bn, NZ Rifle Brigade, in the field, 9 August 1917, and posted to B Company. Reported missing, 12 October 1917. Court of Enquiry, 27 April 1918, concluded: 'Killed in action, 12 October 1917.' Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 3: Roll 52, p. 29 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 20998408 |