Description
World War 2 South African Memorial Plaque, Sergeant Thomas Richard Downes, T.S.C. S.A. Forces, who died on active service on 21st June 1941, buried in Nairobi Kenya.
A South African Memorial Plaque, on original wooden mounting with stand for display.
The Plaque is engraved with the recipients details: “189086 Sgt T.R. Downes, T.S.C.” And reads: “DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE / IN OORLOGSDIENS GESTERF-WERELDOORLOG 1939 1945”
Sergeant Thomas Richard Downes, was 34 years old when he died on 21st June 1941. He was serving with the 7th Mobile Field Workshops, Technical Service Corps, South Africa Forces.
He is now buried in Nairobi War Cemetery, Kenya.
He was the son of Richard and Dora Downes, of Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, South Africa, being born on 2nd June 1907, Also married to Muriel Downes, also of Port Elizabeth.
A commemorative stone was placed locally, It reads: “Thomas Richard (Tommy) Downes, Dearly Beloved Husband of Muriel, Born Port Elizabeth 2.6.1907 Died onf Active Service, Nairobi, Kenya, 21.6.1941”
It appears a headstone was raised by his family in Port Elizabeth.
The following notice was placed in the SA Government Gazette, 22nd August 1941:
“Thomas Richard Downes, a Salesman, married out of community of property to Kate Muriel Downes (Born Mason), of Port Elizabeth, who died at Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa on the 21st June 1941.”
