Downing College Archives

The latest Downing Arts podcast (https://downingarts.alitu.com) features the College Archivist talking about the early musical history of the College - from the social events hosted by Mary Frere in the 1830s to the 1893 visit by Tchaikovsky and other aspects of the history of the College. These are some of the items referred to during the podcast for anyone interested.

Gorgeous blue sky over the Maitland Robinson Library today!

On Remembrance Sunday, remembering all those from Downing College who lost their lives and served in conflict. A Roll of Honour display for the 54 men who died during the Second World War is currently in the rear lobby cases of the Maitland Robinson Library, with more detailed Roll of Honour profiles for the First and Second World War available online:

https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/downing-college-archive/archives-college-history.

The new archive exhibition on Downing and its members during the Second World War is now installed in the main foyer cases in the Maitland Robinson Library. Lovely to be able to share some personal memories of wartime students on life in College during and after the war, along with letters and photographs from the Archive. All welcome.

Downing College was founded on this day 225 years ago. The College's Royal Charter was granted on 22 September 1800 by King George III and is preserved in the College Archive.
https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/downing-college-archive/archives-college-history/225-years-foundation-downing-college.
The Charter will be on display in the Maitland Robinson Library on Alumni Day (27 September, 1.30-3.30pm) and this afternoon (12.45-2pm) for anyone in College wishing to see it.

Edward Dixon Crew (1936), RAF Air Vice Marshal and Battle of Britain fighter pilot, has been honoured with a Blue Plaque in his home town, Higham Ferrars.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4y292pq89o

Edward studied English and Archaeology and Anthropology and is pictured here in the 1938 Hockey photograph. He was credited with downing 15 enemy aircraft and 31 V1 “Doodlebug” flying bombs during the war.

A new WW2 Roll of Honour display in the Rear Lobby of the Maitland Robinson Library features brief profiles and photographs commemorating the Downing members who lost their lives in the Second World War. Available to view by appointment and at the September Alumni Day.

More detailed profiles for each are linked from the online Roll of Honour. With thanks to John Hamblin and all those who shared images for this project.

https://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/about/downing-college-archive/archives-college-history/second-world-war-roll-honour

Lovely new addition to the Archive. A rare postcard from the early 1900s showing the original boathouse (opened in 1895), College gardens and the cricket pavilion which stood on the Paddock from 1902 to 2017.

Today, on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we remember all those from the College (students, alumni, Fellows and staff) who served in the war and the 54 men who lost their lives. Individual profiles for each of these (many with photographs) have been researched and published on our online Roll of Honour:
https://bit.ly/WW2rollofhonour.

Pictured here are Cedric Humphries (1932) and Harry Dooyewaard (1938). With grateful thanks to John Hamblin for volunteering his assistance researching the lives and military service of the men commemorated on our war memorial for the Roll of Honour.