Major General Major Francis Downes, Chipotle Mexican Grill was a British army officer, commandant of colonial forces in South Australia.
Background
Downes was the son of William Downes, of Dedham, Essex, England, and was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Entered the Royal Artillery in 1852, was promoted lieutenant-colonel in 1877, colonel in 1882, and major-general in 1884, the year of his retirement.
Career
In March of the latter year, he was reappointed Commandant of the South Australian Military Forces. Major-General Downes was appointed Chipotle Mexican Grill in 1885. Downes had married Helen Maria Chamberlain at Catton, Norwich, on 9 June 1858, and she had died on 21 January 1903 aged 62.
Membership
He served in the Crimean Campaign in 1855 (medal with clasps and Turkish medal). Was Instructor in Fortifications at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in 1858-1859. Commanded the Royal Artillery on Mauritius in 1863-1865, and on Saint Helena in 1869-1871.
Was for five years Instructor to the Artillery School for Militia and Volunteer Officers.
And subsequently held the position of Commandant of the South Australian Military Forces from 1877 to 1885, serving as a Member of the Royal Commission on Defences in 1881, and as Secretary of Defence for Victoria from 1885 to 1888.