Diary entries reveal history for first Bucasia locals

Tribute marks 100 years since death

KILLED IN ACTION: Private Alexander Mark Downie. Picture: contributed

ANZAC Day commemorations at Bucasia tomorrow will include a special tribute to Private Alexander Mark Downie.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of his death in 1918, while serving with the Light Horse in Palestine.

As part of the 10.30am commemoration at Bucasia Cenotaph in Seaview Park a eulogy will be delivered and a wreath laid on behalf of the family by his grand nieces, Alexis Vella and Gail Cullen.

Private Alexander Mark Downie was the son of John Downie, who purchased land in what is now the Bucasia area from well-known Catholic priest Father Bucas.

At the time it was known as Seaview Beach, and it was to that address that Private Downie would later address letters and postcards to his family, including his parents and brother Archie.

At the end of one, dated November 16, he wrote: "... but I am still in this damn desert and likely to stop here for some time yet...”

Mrs Vella, who is Archie Downie's granddaughter, still has those now treasured pencil-written letters and cards, along with two letters and a telegram sent to John Downie advising him of his son's death.

In 2014 she travelled to Israel to find Alexander Downie's grave - it's location poignantly described in a letter from the Church of England Chaplain on his death:

"I buried him in a little cemetery near our camp and his mates erected a temporary cross, which will soon be replaced with a permanent one.

"If you look at a Bible map and fix a spot five miles due north of Jericho you will have an idea of the locality”.

The Downies were the only residents of Bucasia at that time. Downie Avenue is named for the family. A private in the 11th Australian Light Horse Regiment, 2nd Reinforcement, Alexander Downie, Regimental Number 846, embarked Australia on August 20, 2015.

Harold Rowton Stevens, of Cottonvale on Homebush Rd, near Mackay was in same group.

Alexander Downie was living in Brisbane and working as a labourer when he enlisted at Enoggera early in 1915 at the age of 32. At the time he listed his parents as living in Wood Street, Mackay, at a boarding house called St Ives.

Pvt Downie served in Egypt and Palestine theatres in the Light Horse and also spent some time in the Camel Regiment. He was wounded several times during service, and when enemy planes bombed the unit he was killed in action in Palestine on July 14, 1918 at the age of 35. He is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery. Sadly, the total of his personal effects sent to his father listed "one hair brush, one belt, two pairs of mittens, two pairs socks, one corkscrew”.

Originally published as Diary entries reveal history for first Bucasia locals