Rupert Major Downes was born on 10 February 1885 in Mitcham, South Australia, the youngest of fifteen children of Colonel Major Francis Downes, a British Army officer, and his wife Helen Maria, formerly Chamberlin, only five of whom survived to adulthood.
Rupert Major Downes was born on 10 February 1885 in Mitcham, South Australia. He was the youngest of fifteen children of Colonel Major Francis Downes--a British Army officer--and his wife Helen Maria, formerly Chamberlin, only five of whom survived to adulthood.