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| Name: |
John Henry DAVIDSON |
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| Casualty No.: |
|
Ranks: |
Company Sergeant Major |
Initials: |
J H |
Service No.: |
125 |
|
| Date of Birth : |
17/03/1885 |
Place of Birth : |
Hexham, Northumberland. |
Age at Death: |
30 |
|
| Unit: |
1st/9th Bn Durham Light Infantry (Territorial Force). |
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| Place Enlisted: |
Blaydon on Tyne, Co. Durham. |
| Place of Residence: |
Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co.Durham. |
| Home Address: |
30 Stanhope Street, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. |
| Previous Address: |
|
| Civilian Employment: |
Foreman with the North Eastern Railway Company. |
| How Died: |
Killed in action (killed by a sniper) |
| Date of Death: |
Tuesday 22nd June 1915 |
| Place of Death: |
|
| Battle/Campaign: |
Kemmel Sector Trenches, Belgium. |
| Locally Commemorated: |
Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Greenside War Memorial, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
|
| UK Commemorated: |
St Cuthbert's Church, Blaydon on Tyne, Co. Durham. |
| Overseas Commemorated: |
- |
| Buried: |
Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Reference O. 46 |
| Decoration and Medals: |
It was incorrectly reported in the local press that he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery and promoted to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. |
| Photographs: |
2 |
| Service Records: |
No |
| Death Notice/Obituary: |
Blaydon Courier, pages 5 and 8, 3rd July 1915.
Blaydon Courier, page 8, 14th August 1915.
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| Family Details: |
Son of Mrs Ellen and the late Robert Davidson, of 30 Stanhope Street, Greenside, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. Robert Davidson lived at 75 Thomas Terrace, Blaydon on Tyne, Co. Durham. |
| Notes : |
John had enlisted in the 5th Volunteer Bn Durham Light Infantry - later to be the 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry (Territorial Force). He volunteered for Imperial Service on the outbreak of war and served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders. He greatly distinguished himself on Whit Monday, at the Second Battle of Ypres, when he carried four men who were gassed to a place of safety. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henderson spoke of him as a splendid soldier.
Shot in the head by a German sniper at Kemmel whilst assisting a wounded comrade.
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| Sources Used: |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
Soldiers Died in the Great War.
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