Nick Downie
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Nicolas Jon Downie (27 May 1946 – 12 May 2021) was a British journalist and soldier.[1]
Education and early career[]
Nick 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[]
Military[]
Downie was the only civilian of 120 applicants to the Regular SAS,[2] but one of six accepted into the training. 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. [3] Downie’s final military engagement was with the Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan fighting against Saddam Hussein in 1974–75.[4]
Journalist[]
He later worked as a war correspondent, winning multiple awards. The Royal Television Society recognised his work with three awards.[5]
Downie became disillusioned by the viewers' desire for images over analysis.[6]
Personal life[]
Downie died on 12 May 2021, from COVID-19, at the age of 74.[7]
References[]
- ^ "Independent Diary". The Independent. 17 March 1993.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "SHOOTING GUERRILLAS". The Spectator Archive. 21 December 1985.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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)
- 1946 births
- 2021 deaths
- Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
- British war correspondents
- British military personnel of the Dhofar Rebellion
- Special Air Service soldiers