Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Walter and Sarah Hannah Downes. The 1911 census records, Walter Downes, married 25 years and head of the family, a Brewers Bottler, born 1865 in Lubenham, Leics., and his wife Sarah Hannah, born 1862 in Great Bowden, Leics. The children were Leonard William, a Type Foundry Hand, born 1893, Ernest Charles, a Corset Factory Hand, born 1895, Hilda Elizabeth, a Hosiery Hand, born 1897, Florence Mary, a Schoolgirl, born 1902 and Lilian May, a Schoolgirl, born 1904, all the children were born in Little Bowden, Northants. The family were residing at 67, Caxton Street, Market Harborough, Leics. Other sources show his rank as Private. The War Diary for today records. MONCHY. At 9.30am Battn Drill. Physical and Bayonet training. Rapid bombing and firing. At 12.30pm Battn inspected by Brigadier. At 4.00pm Brigade Transport inspected by General Officer Commanding. Draft of 122 arrive. Good lot. Many 1st and 2nd Battn men also 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th.