The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Downing, John Leopold Rank: Guardsman Service No: 2620020 Regiment: 5 Battalion Grenadier Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944 Date 1944 Catalogue reference WO 373/8 24th Guards Brigade, 6th S.A. Armoured Division, 13 Corps 2620020 Guardsman John Leopold DOWNING, 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS This Guardsman is a Stretcher Bearer with a rifle company. At 1900 hours on 2nd August 1944 this man's company was forming up for an attack on a ridge just South of IMPRUNETA village when the enemy put down a very heavy concentration of artillery and mortar fire right on top of them. In a few minutes the company suffered over 20 casualties, whereupon the remainder were ordered temporarily to occupy some slit trenches nearby. Guardsman DOWNING, who was the only remaining Stretcher Bearer, continued to tend the wounded throughout the heaviest of the shelling. He then organised their evacuation and with the help of two Guardsmen from Company H.Q. made no less than 12 trips to the Regimental Aid Post through what continued to be heavy shell and mortar fire and under small arms fire from a post which the enemy had moved up to within 250 yards. He carried out these duties with spectacular courage on the "saddle" of a hill which was bereft of all cover and in circumstances which earned the admiration of his whole company. This Guardsman's most gallant action on that day was entirely in conformity with his previous conduct which was well known as he has never missed a day of any of the battles fought by this Battalion. Signed G.C. GORDON-LENNOX, D.S.O., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS Granted an Immediate M.M.
