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Private Reginald W.P. DOWNING is photographed sitting next to a corporal. Reg DOWNING was in the 32nd Battalion, in 'B' Company, as a signaller in the Company headquarters. As a result of his diligence to duty during he was awarded the Military Medal, one of the highest awards available to an ordinary soldier. The ribbon for this medal can be seen on his right breast, above his pocket. The corporal is wearing, what appears to be an English tailor made Australian tunic. The two chevrons worn only on the right sleeve are clearly visible, and represent the rank of corporal. At the cuff of the right sleeve are four overseas service chevrons, representing four years of service away from Australia. In a similar position, but on his left sleeve are two wound stripes. These were usually a brass or gold coloured metal strip pinned through the material of the sleeve. Each stripe represented a wound received in action. The colour patch on each shoulder is the rectangular yellow patch of the 8th Inf. H.Q. Brigade |
