GRO can't provide a certificate

[Alexander.]

I agree, Carole, this is probably him in 1901:

1901 census: 3 Dearden St, Hulme
William DOWNING, Head, M, 30, House Painter, Lancs Manchester
Emily DOWNING, Wife, M, 29
Mary J. DOWNING, Daur, S, 11
Emily DOWNING, Daur, S, 9
William DOWNING, Son, S, 6
Harriet DOWNING, Daur, S, 8
Benjamin DOWNING, Son, S, 4
James DOWNING, Son, S, 1
Zachariah MELLOR, F in Law, M, 57, Shoemaker, Lancs Blackburn
Mary Ann MELLOR, M in Law, M, 49, Lancs Manchester

All children born Manchester

[CaroleW]

1901 for 3 Dearden St Hulme - all b Manchester except Z Mellor

William Downing 30 house painter
Emily 29
Mary J   11
Emily   9
William   6
Harriet  8
Benjamin   4
James   1
Zachariah Mellor 57 father in law b Blackburn
Mary Ann Mellor 49 mother in law
RG13 Piece 3705 Folio 108 Page 41.

 

[Alexander.]

2 possible births on FreeBMD:

Births Mar qtr. 1896
DOWNING, William Henry, Chorlton, 8c/879

Births Jun qtr. 1896
DOWNING, William Henry, Chorlton, 8c/908

Both births are on Lancashire BMD (http://www.lancashirebmd.org.uk/cgi/birthind.cgi), but one has Sub-District of Chorlton and the other Sub-Distict Hulme. Your William is probably the latter. If I were you I would order the birth certificate through Lancashire BMD.
Direct link - http://www.rootschat.com/links/0p2k/

[carolosunny]

his 1st marriage to Edith Wallace was in 1915 and his father was a chain maker but due to other information on the certificate this might not be true...his 2nd marriage was 1935 to Mary Price and his Father was dead by then his occupation was a labourer then he married Agnes McDougall in 1946 and his Father was deceased and occupation was a chain maker (driving chain makers) ...I know my Grandfather had a Sister called Emily and brothers James and Fredrick but there were more siblings XX

[CaroleW]

This is probably the other William Henry Downing as Stretford also came under Chorlton

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMRQ-VT5

[CaroleW]

The 1901 is the correct family from what you say about siblings

Manipulation of the free 1911 index shows a Frederick Downing aged 10 in the same household as William & Emily

[carolosunny]

wow thank you all so much I will order the 2nd William Downing certificate and get in touch with the army )) it would be so nice if there is a photograph of him somewhere )) XXX

[carolosunny]

Ive ordered the birth certificate  now onto the army!!! THANKS again EVERYONE XXXXX

[Little Nell]

his 1st marriage to Edith Wallace was in 1915 and his father was a chain maker

Possibly a chair maker?

See here:

http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Manchester/Hulme/stmark/index.html

Nell