| Sir Ernest Down | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1902 |
| Died | 1980 (aged 78) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 2nd Parachute Brigade 1st Airborne Division 9th Indian Airborne Division 44th Indian Airborne Division 2nd Indian Airborne Division 4th Division British Troops in Greece 53rd Division Southern Command |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Lieutenant-General Sir Ernest Edward Down KBE CB (1902–1980) was a British General during World War II.
Ernest Down was commissioned into the Dorset Regiment in February 1923.[1] He served in World War II being appointed Commander of the 2nd Parachute Brigade in North Africa in 1942.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2]
After the War he was appointed GOC of 4th Division in Greece before becoming GOC of all British Troops in Greece.[2] Then in 1948 he became head of the British Military Mission to Greece.[2] 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.[2]
He was also Colonel of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry from 1955 to 1957.[3]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Hopkinson |
General Officer Commanding 1st Airborne Division 1943–1944 |
Succeeded by Roy Urquhart |
| Preceded by Colin Callander |
General Officer Commanding the 4th Division 1946–1947 |
Succeeded by Division Disbanded (Post next held by Reginald Hewetson) |
| Preceded by Sir Ouvry Roberts |
GOC-in-C Southern Command 1952–1955 |
Succeeded by Sir George Erskine |