Michael Downing
7. 25/4/1854 Michael Joseph - 1878 Tumut - Elizabeth Cassidy - Died 22/8/1939 Tumut - (Ref- NSW BDM 25840/1939)
DOWNING Mrs. Michael having occurred on Monday forenoon, the cause being a heart affection. Her kind and persevering nature as a nurse had won for her great admiration. March 23, 1923
8151/1896 DOWNING ADELAIDE K MICHAEL J ELIZABETH in TUMUT
11665/1898 DOWNING ARTHUR MICHAEL J ELIZABETH in TUMUT
5358/1955 DOWNING MATTHEW SYLVESTER MICHAEL JOSEPH ELIZABETH in TUMUT
14081/1949 DOWNING FREDERICK JAMES MICHAEL JOSEPH ELIZABETH in TUMUT
21412/1947 DOWNING ROBERT WILLIAM MICHAEL JOSEPH ELIZABETH in TUMUT
6295/1939 DOWNING MICHAEL JOSEPH MICHAEL JOSEPH ELIZABETH in TUMUT -
1901 DOWNING, MICHAEL parents MICHAEL J & ELIZABETH M in TUMUT, NSW - (Ref- NSW BDM 8000/1901) - Murdered
In 1939 - COMMITTED FOR TRIAL ON MURDER CHARGE - Inquest Into Tumut Tragedy, SYDNEY. February 28 - Norman Niddrie, 23. labourer, was committed for trial from the Tumut Coroner's Court today on a charge of murdering Michael Joseph Downing, at the rear of the Woolpack Hotel. Tumut, on January 28. In two signed statements which were alleged to have been made to the Police by the accused and which were tendered in evidence during the inquest on Downing, Niddrie admitted being in the comnany of Downing in the yard adjoining the hotel on the night of January 28. According to the alleged statements. Downing asked him whether he had any money and then put his hand in Niddrie's pocket. Niddrie swung around and knocked him over. He fell against an iron fence. Returning later, Niddrie found that Downing wes badly hurt. He called assistance and took bini to a doctor and then to the Tumut Hospital. He asked Downing twice who had hit him. but be said he did know who his assailants were. They had robbed him of 12s. Dr J. Meson said that death was due to shock and hamorhage of the left lung. The lower right jaw was fractured in several places and there were severe head and body injuries. In his opinion the injuries could not have been caused by a punch or by falling on a stone or a stump, but could have been caused by several kicks.- (Ref- Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 22 February 1939).
1939 - THREE YEARS' GAOL FOR MANSLAUGHTER .AFTERMATH OF FIGHT IN TUMUT. Norman Niddrie, 29, labourer, at Sydney Criminal Court -yesterday, was sentenced to imprisonment for three years for manslaughter. He had been, charged with having murdered Michael Joseph Downing at Tumut on January 29, but the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter and recommended mercy. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr McKeen, K.C.) said that Niddrie was drinking in the Woolpack Hotel on January 28, and left when the licensee told him the Police were coming. He met Downing near the hotel. According to Niddrie, Downing asked for money, which was refused. Several blows were struck when Downing went to put his hands in Niddrie's pocket. Downing was taken to hospital where he died. Dr. John Mason said Downing's jaw was broken in two places, and there were heavy bruises on his ribs. Niddrie, from the dock, said he did not know the man who attempted to put his hand in his pocket was Downing until he had fallen to the ground. On recognising Downing he took him to the doctor and later to the hospital. He would not have hit Downing had he known who he was. He had been acquainted with him for 12 years, and Downing had done his mother many good turns. He was very sorry Downing was dead. Mr Justice Maxwell directed that the sentence date from February 29, Nidarie having been in gaol since then. - (Ref- Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954) (about) Previous issue Friday 17 March 1939).
1930 - Man Found Dying. SYDNEY, Jan. 29. - Police believe that thieves savagely attacked Michael J. Downing (40), single, of Simpson street, Tumut, in the yard at the rear of an hotel in Tumut on Saturday night and, after striking and kicking him about the head and robbing him of 12 shillings, left him dying on the ground.
He died an hour after he was found. Mr. Downing was well known in the Tumut township, where he had lived for some time. Detectives are trying to trace his movements on Saturday night but they are handicapped by the incomplete story he was able to tell before he died.
About 11 p.m. Harold Neddrie, of Tumut, was passing the hotel yard when he heard a man moaning and on investigation, he discovered Mr. Downing. His face and head were covered in blood. Mr. Meddrie summoned the Police and Mr. Downing was carried to the Tumut Hospital. Between lapses into unconsciousness he was interviewed by detectives and he said that during the night he had been in the company of men whom he did not know. He had 12/ in his pockets and suddenly, when he was at the rear of the hotel, he was attacked. He remembered being knocked down but before he could be questioned concerning the identity of his attackers he became unconscious again and a few minutes later he was dead. - (Ref- Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 2 February 1939).
Tumut, NSW
DOWNING Michael Joseph