Robert Downie

Rallied the Dubs and stormed a machine-gun post on the Somme

Robert Downie was born in Springburn, Glasgow, on 12 January 1894. Educated at St Aloysius’ School, he worked at the Hyde Park Locomotive Works before joining the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1912. He married Ivy Sparkes at Gravesend in April 1914, while his battalion was stationed there. That August he went to France with the British Expeditionary Force. His early wartime service included Le Cateau, the fighting around Ypres and the Somme. By October 1916 he was a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion.

On 23 October 1916, east of Lesboeufs, the battalion attacked the German position known as Gun Pits. Heavy fire and officer casualties checked the advance. Downie reorganised the survivors and rushed forward, calling his comrades after him. He captured a machine gun and killed its crew. Despite a wound received early in the fighting, he stayed to help consolidate the captured position. His leadership earned the Victoria Cross; his wartime decorations also included the Military Medal.

King George V presented his VC at Sandringham on 8 January 1917. Downie continued serving, suffered gas injuries during the war and left the Army in March 1919. His brothers David and Richard had both been killed in France in 1917.

Back in Glasgow, he experienced unemployment before finding work at Parkhead Forge through Celtic manager Willie Maley. He also became a turnstile keeper at Celtic Park and worked for Glasgow Corporation on the trams. During the Second World War he served in the Home Guard. On 8 June 1946 he attended the Victory Day reception for VC holders at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

A lifelong Celtic supporter, Downie continued working at the club’s turnstiles in the 1950s and lived to see its 1967 European Cup triumph. He died in Glasgow on 18 April 1968 and was buried in St Kentigern’s Cemetery.

Victoria Cross citation The London Gazette, 25 November 1916, page 11526

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 Non-Commissioned 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.

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.