In Janval Cemetery, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of TS/6190 Driver Andrew Downes, serving with the 3rd Base Remount Depot Army Service Corps who died 03/04/1915.

The son of the late T. H. and Jane Downes, of Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland and the husband of Emma Downes, of 18, Morgan Street, Southwick, Sunderland.

Andrew Downes was born in Sunderland on the 6th May 1888, he was the 4th son of Thomas Hodgson Downes, of Sunderland, Cab Driver, and his wife Jane, daughter of Thomas Liddle, of Philadelpha.

Andrew was educated at the Rectory School in Sunderland, and was a groom to Mr T Parrington of Southwick on Wear, Sunderland, Durham.

He married at Southwick on the 6th March 1909 Emma, (18 Morgan Street, Southwick on Wear), daughter of Thomas Hall of Seaham Harbour. They had three children, Thomas, born 22nd December 1912, Andrew, born 18th January 1915 and Violet, born 6th September 1910.

He had enlisted on the 27th February, and died of Pneumonia in No 5 Stationery Hospital at Dieppe on the 2nd [3rd] April 1915, while on active service.

Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

Andrew Downes is remembered at Southwick on S130.13 and S130.22, at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 10 page 225 and in Peter Gibson’s book.