William Davis and George William Davis

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Registered War Grave, Somme

William Davis
Sapper 167656
No.2 Tunnelling Depot. Royal Engineers

 Division 78
Extension

Davis bros cem

William Davis was the son of George William and Elizabeth Davis, of 33 Albany Road, Reading.  His grave is a registered war grave with a private memorial, his parents are buried with him.  Grave number 16223.  The story of William Davis is tragic and mysterious.  The details of the inquest were published in the Chronicle 26th May 1916.

  “After one day a Clipstone Camp Nottinghamshire  William Davis, aged 25, disappeared and his body was found in the River Mann – a shallow stream near Mansfield.  He had reported to camp on Saturday May 6th and was not seen after dinner on Sunday.

Giving evidence, James Davis* his brother said deceased had orders to report May 7th and was put in the Royal Engineers.  This was against his wish, he wanted the Royal Flying corps.  He had no liking for the Army and had appealed twice on business grounds but was refused.  When the appeal was refused he seemed to settle down and accept the position.

William Davis made the acquaintance of Benjamin Charles Everest, Royal Engineers, at Clipstone camp but did not appear very cheerful, he was quiet and reserved. 

James Davis said he felt that his brother would not take his own life, would in fact be the last man to do so. 

The body was found embedded in mud – verdict “Found drowned.” 

It is not clear exactly when William Davis died, the inscription on the grave states:
Laid to Rest May 23rd 1916”

 

George William Davis
Corporal 137811
237th Field Company Royal Engineers

 

 George William Davis was the brother of William Davis.  He is commemorated on the headstone of his brothers grave.   George Davis was the husband of D.L. Mealings (formerly Davis), of Station House, Burghdere.   He was killed in action 7th October 1916 and is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, near Flers, the Somme.  Location IV.A.25.

The “In Memoriam“ entry in the Standard 21st October 1916, is from his wife and gives some details of the action he was in at the time he was killed:

“Davis- G.W. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Corporal. G. W. Davis, who fell in action October 7th 1916, helping to lead a party of men to No Mans Land for defence work north of Gueudecourt”.

It was over the battle field in this area that the first tank battle had taken place on the 15th September 1916.  The bitter fighting of the last phase of the Somme battle lasted until November 1916.

For William and Elizabeth Davis, as for many parents, 1916 was a year of tragedy.  In their “In Memoriam” is a poem about their eldest son. 

He is gone, our dearly loved youth,
The heart of honour, the tongue of truth;
He, the life and light of us all,
Whose voice was blithe as a bugle call;
Whom all eyes followed with one consent,
The cheer of whose laugh, and whose pleasant word
Hushed all murmurs of discontent.

 

I has not been possible to find any information about James Davis

 

Herbert Charles Davies and Arthur S Davies

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Graves, St. Batholomew's Church

Herbert Charles Davies
 Rifleman 40925
2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade

 Bombardier Arthur S. Davies
2nd/1st Battalion Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery

Division 79
Extension

Davies HC grave

Herbert Charles Davies and Arthur S. Davies were the sons of Mary Davies and late Evan Davies of 122.  Cumberland Road, Reading.  The whole family are buried in Division 79. Grave 16550 of  the Reading Cemetery.  The grave is actually registered as a war grave but at the start of this research did not bear the distinctive war pattern headstone.  The CWGC placed a war pattern headstone on the grave when Herbert’s name became indistinct and he was not appropriately commemorated on the family grave. Herbert’s name is the one registered with the CWGC.  He is also commemorated on the St. Bartholomew’s memorial.

Herbert died 4th December 1918 Aged 19. The inscription on the grave states that he was a repatriated prisoner of war. It has not been possible to locate a picture of Herbert Davies.

 It has also been difficult to trace information about Arthur Davies because his service details are not registered with the CWGC.  However, The Standard of July 26th 1917 Pg. 5 carried an article:

 Missing, Feared Loss of Memory

Mr A.S. Davies formerly of the Berks. R.H.A., of 122 Cumberland Rd. Reading has been missing from his home since Thursday in last week.  He had been badly wounded in the head, and it is feared that he is suffering form loss of memory.  He was wearing brown trousers and a light grey cap and coat, also an grey shirt, socks and boots.  He has very heavy eyebrows, which meet across the bridge of his nose.  His height is about 5ft 8inches.

A picture, published in the Chronicle 28th September 1917carries the caption “wounded in both legs, one arm and head”.  Arthur Davies obviously suffered for some time.  The inscription on the grave indicates that he died on July 17th 1919, aged 24.

 “Another victim of the war”.

alfred sutton mem

 

The brother are commemorated on the War Memorial  of Alfred Sutton Primary School. 

 

 

 

Evan Lloyd Davies

Alfred Sutton School War Memorial, Army, Reading University College, Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Somme

Evan Lloyd Davies MM
Corporal 200422 
1st/4th Royal Berkshire Regiment

 Division 32  Grave number 8995

 EL Davies oval2 ELDavies plaque

Evan Lloyd Davies was the son of William and Rhoda Davies and husband of Grace Ethel Davies.  He died on the 5th November 1918 of wounds received on 27th August 1916 as the 48th Division tried to take the Thiepval ridge.   During the battle he received the head wound which ended his war and ultimately his life.  Evan Lloyd Davies had acquitted himself well during the battle and was commended for the Military Medal for ‘distinguished bravery in the field’. He was buried in Reading Cemetery on the morning of the Armistice,  11th November 1918 aged 35.  He left his wife and two children.

Evan Lloyd Davies was a teacher at the Wokingham Road Senior School, now Alfred Sutton Primary School. The plaque above commemorates his name and is in the junior hall of the school.

 He had served overseas with his Territorial unit from the beginning of the war.  His full story is told in  ‘The School, the Master, the Boys and the V.C.’ which is the story behind  the Alfred Sutton School Memorial.

Children Remember ELDavies
In 1998 children from the school laid a poppy wreath on the grave of Evan Lloyd Davies in remembrance of his service to the school and his role in the Great War.

Evan Lloyd Davies was one of six Reading teachers to lose their lives in the war.