Edward Downes Edward Downes Sir Edward Thomas ("Ted") Downes, CBE (17 June 1924 – 10 July 2009) was an English conductor, specialising in opera. He was associated with the Royal Opera House from 1952, and with Opera Australia from 1970. He was also well known for his long working relationship with the BBC Philharmonic and for working with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra. Within the field of opera, he was particularly known as a conductor of Verdi. He and his wife, Lady (Joan) Downes, committed assisted suicide at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland on 10 July 2009, an event that received significant media
Percy Downes Percy Downes Percy Downes (19 September 1905 – 1989) was an English professional footballer. He spent six years at Blackpool in the early 20th century, making over 150 Football League appearances for the club, and over 350 league appearances in total. He played as a midfielder. Downes' first senior team was Dinnington Main Colliery Welfare, where he started playing during the early 1920s. He later transferred to Gainsborough Trinity, where his performances earned him a move into professional football in the Football League with Blackpool. Downes made his debut for "the Seasiders" six games into their 1925–26 league season, a