Bill Downie

For the Carlton player, see Bill T. Downie. For the American basketball player, see Bill Downey.

Bill Downie
Personal information
Date of birth	3 December 1909
Place of birth	Deniliquin
Date of death	11 September 1943(1943-09-11) (aged 34)
Place of death	Burma-Siam Railway, Burma
Original team(s)	Eaglehawk
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	81 kg (179 lb)
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1929–1932	Footscray	54 (26)
1933	St Kilda	15 0(2)
Total		69 (28)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1933.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

William Downie (4 December 1908 – 11 September 1943) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and St Kilda in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Downie played as a ruckman and represented Footscray 54 times before finishing off his VFL career with a year at St Kilda. He was then picked up by Northcote in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) and was a member of their 1937 premiership side.

He served his country in World War II and was killed by a Japanese guard in a Prisoner of War camp.

See also

• List of Victorian Football League players who died on active service

References

• Main, J. & Allen, D., "Downie, Bill", pp. 236–237 in Main, J. & Allen, D., Fallen – The Ultimate Heroes: Footballers Who Never Returned From War, Crown Content, (Melbourne), 2002. ISBN 1-74095-010-0

External links

• Bill Downie's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Bill Downie at AustralianFootball.com
• Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour: William Downie (VX38839)