Ernest Down
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-General Sir Ernest Edward Down KBE CB (1902–1980) was a British
General during World War II
.
in February 1923. He served in World War II
being appointed Commander of the 2nd Parachute Brigade in North Africa
in 1942. He went on to be General Officer Commanding
(GOC) 1st Airborne Division in Italy
, taking over from Major-General
George Hopkinson
who had been killed in action
, in 1943. He was then GOC of 9th Indian Airborne Division
which itself became the 44th Indian Airborne Division
in 1944 and GOC of 2nd Indian Airborne Division in 1945.
After the War he was appointed GOC of 4th Division
in Greece
before becoming GOC of all British Troops in Greece
. Then in 1948 he became head of the British Military Mission to Greece
. Returning to the United Kingdom
he was appointed District Officer Commanding Mid-West District and GOC 53rd Division in 1950 and GOC-in Chief of Southern Command
in 1952, a post from which he retired in 1955.
He was also Colonel of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry from 1955 to 1957.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
General during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Military career
Ernest Down was commissioned into the Dorset RegimentDorset Regiment
The Dorset Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1958, the county regiment of Dorset. Until 1951 it was formally called The Dorsetshire Regiment, although usually known as "The Dorsets".-History:...
in February 1923. He served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
being appointed Commander of the 2nd Parachute Brigade in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
in 1942. He went on to be General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
(GOC) 1st Airborne Division in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, taking over from Major-General
Major-General (United Kingdom)
Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
George Hopkinson
George F. Hopkinson
Major-General George Frederick Hopkinson OBE MC was a British Army officer who commanded the 1st Airborne Division during the Second World War...
who had been killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
, in 1943. He was then GOC of 9th Indian Airborne Division
44th Airborne Division (India)
The Indian 44th Airborne Division was a formation of the Indian Army during World War II, created in 1944. It provided a parachute battalion for one minor airborne operation but the war ended before the complete formation could take part...
which itself became the 44th Indian Airborne Division
44th Airborne Division (India)
The Indian 44th Airborne Division was a formation of the Indian Army during World War II, created in 1944. It provided a parachute battalion for one minor airborne operation but the war ended before the complete formation could take part...
in 1944 and GOC of 2nd Indian Airborne Division in 1945.
After the War he was appointed GOC of 4th Division
4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)
The 4th Infantry Division is a regular British Army division with a long history having been present at the Peninsular War the Crimean War , the First World War , and during the Second World War.- Napoleonic Wars :...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
before becoming GOC of all British Troops in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Then in 1948 he became head of the British Military Mission to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Returning to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
he was appointed District Officer Commanding Mid-West District and GOC 53rd Division in 1950 and GOC-in Chief of Southern Command
Southern Command (United Kingdom)
-History:The Command was established in 1905 from the Second Army Corps and was initially based at Tidworth but in 1949 moved to Fugglestone Farm near Wilton in Wiltshire....
in 1952, a post from which he retired in 1955.
He was also Colonel of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry from 1955 to 1957.