Simon Downey OBE and MBE 1976 to 1983

Simon Downey pictured in Afghanistan.

In 1980, the newly-amalgamated St Mary and St Joseph’s school revived a tradition that had gone back to 1957 - the annual school play.

In March 1983, the satirical musical comedy Oh, What a Lovely War! was staged with the part of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig going to upper sixth former Simon Downey.

Who’d have thought that over the coming years Simon would become a high-ranking Army officer and be decorated for his military efforts?

After leaving St Mary and St Joseph’s in the summer of 1983, Simon read History at Sheffield University before joining the Army where he served for 27 years:

“They were a busy period with tours in the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan,” says Simon. “I commanded the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment and I was very fortunate to reach the rank of Brigadier - well short of General Haig in Oh, What a Lovely War!”

The Downey family

Simon served as Chief of Staff with the UK 16 Air Assault brigade during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and was later appointed MBE. In 2007/08 he commanded a battle group in Afghanistan and was later appointed OBE:

“They were both very much in reflection of the combined efforts of all involved. Clearly both campaigns were very divisive in terms of the public view of the merits and outcomes,” said Simon, “It was a great privilege with some superb people.”

In 1994 Simon married his wife Nikki: “We have three brilliant children, Rebecca, Joe and Beth who are working or at university. I left the Army so we could settle down in 2014 and since then I have worked as a Chief Officer with British Transport Police. Home is in Wiltshire.”

Simon retains very fond memories of St Mary’s: “Highlights were the French exchange, the Field Trip to Snowdonia, It's a Knockout, the School plays and the staff - particularly the English Dept under Mr Bridges. A fantastic team!”

Simon, whose younger brother Gary started at St Mary’s in 1978, also appeared in the 1980 school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, playing the part of Egeus, Hermia’s father.