Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant P. B. Downs, 1 Assault Regiment (R.A.C.), Royal Engineers, who was wounded in the course of carrying out vital duties at the crossing of the Cosina in November 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2094391 Sjt. P. B. Downes, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, initials, surname and unit officially corrected on the first, generally good very fine or better (6) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 24 May 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On 23 November 1944, at Bolzanino on the River Cosina, Sergeant Downes was in charge of a fascine carrying A.V.R.E. [Assault Vehicle Royal Engineers] which was ordered forward from 400 yards short of the river to drop its fascine into the gap and thus to create a tank crossing.

As the approach route up to the banks of the river was over ploughed and there was grave danger of the tank becoming bogged, Sergeant Downes dismounted and guided his tank forward on foot despite direct enemy mortar and M.G. fire.

He was wounded in the head but placed his fascine successfully into the ditch. The determination and disregard of danger of this N.C.O. alone made possible the passage over the river of armoured and tracked vehicles at an important stage of the action.’

Peter Bain Downes was serving in 1 Assault Regiment (R.A.C.), R.E. at the time of the above cited deeds.