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[]

  1. ^ "Independent Diary". The Independent. 17 March 1993.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "SHOOTING GUERRILLAS". The Spectator Archive. 21 December 1985.
  3. ^ Tristan (13 December 2011). "My Secret War: Looking For Nick".
  4. ^ "Shooting Gurrillas". 21 December 1985.
  5. ^ "Awards Archive February 2011" (PDF).
  6. ^ "War Reporters". Films Media Group.
  7. ^ 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)
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