The beginning of the Second World War in September 1939 saw Downes commissioned into the King's Regiment (Liverpool) as a second lieutenant in September 1940. He was transferred to the Royal Artillery in June 1942 and by 1945, he was a war substantive lieutenant with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Downes married Barbara Benneit Wilton at Newcastle in July 1942 and died at Sheffield in February 1990.Marriages. The Journal. 20 July 1942. p. 2
