Nicolas Jon Downie (27 May 1946 – 12 May 2021) was a British journalist and soldier.[1]
Nicolas Jon Downie | |
|---|---|
 Nick Downie | |
| Born | 27 May 1946 |
| Died | 12 May 2021 (aged 74) |
| Education | Haileybury and Imperial Service College |
| Occupation | Journalist & soldier |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Rank | Trooper |
| Unit | Special Air Service |
| Battles / wars | |
Education and early career
editNick Downie was educated at Haileybury and Imperial Service College, at the Middlesex Hospital and Stirling Lines. One year before his qualification as a doctor, Downie instead joined the Special Air Service as a Trooper.[2]
Career
editMilitary
editDownie was the only civilian of 120 applicants to the Regular SAS,[2] but one of six who were accepted into training. Later, Downie stated that at the time he was "your original 10½-stone weakling" but that it was his "all-consuming desire" to serve in the SAS that mattered more than physical fitness during the selection process. [3] He was an instrumental figure in the Dhofar Rebellion, where he destroyed a South Yemen fort (with 1,050 lb of gelignite). The rebels were with Russian and Chinese support helping the infiltration of Oman by South Yemen. [4] Downie’s final military engagement was with the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan fighting against Saddam Hussein in 1974–75.[5]
Journalist
editHe later worked as a war correspondent, winning multiple awards. The Royal Television Society recognised his work with three awards.[6]
Downie became disillusioned by the viewers' desire for images over analysis.[7]
Personal life
editIn 2006, Downie started a 10,000-mile (16,000 km) journey by horseback from the Caucasus to South Africa.[8]
He died on 12 May 2021, from COVID-19, at the age of 74 in South Africa.[9][10]
References
edit- ^ "Independent Diary". The Independent. 17 March 1993. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022.
- ^ a b "SHOOTING GUERRILLAS". The Spectator Archive. 21 December 1985.
- ^ Nick Downie (5 July 2006). "Passing the SAS Selection Course - from the Inside". h2g2.com.
- ^ Tristan (13 December 2011). "My Secret War: Looking For Nick".
- ^ "Shooting Gurrillas". 21 December 1985.
- ^ "Awards Archive February 2011" (PDF).
- ^ "War Reporters". Films Media Group.
- ^ "h2g2 SAS-Mule user profile". 6 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
- ^ Obituaries, Telegraph (20 May 2021). "Nick Downie, ex-SAS trooper who won awards for TV films of conflict in the Western Sahara, Rhodesia and Afghanistan– obituary". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 21 May 2021. (subscription required)
- ^ "Obituary: Nick Downie, fearless film-maker who brought war into viewers' living-rooms". 9 June 2021.