[dp_burke]

promoted to P/O in the London Gazette
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu...pplements/1473
28th Jan. 1943.

1174201 Ernest Walter DOWNING (138244).

You can search the London Gazette with his officer serial number above and see that he retired in 1957
Flying Officers, retaining their rank :—

Might suggest he was the Ernest Walter DOWNING born in 1912 and died in 1987. Excuse the small text!!