Rev. William Henry Davis, Chaplain 4th class was born to James and Anne Davis of Davistown, King’s Co., Ireland on Jan. 21, 1883 and was an Anglican chaplain. He enlisted March 6, 1916 in Edmonton, AB and assigned to the 138th battalion. He was also awarded an Honorary Captain position. His pay went to Rev. T. Scott of 126th St. Edmonton, AB. During the month of March 1918, his pay went to JJ Hodgson of 11531-123rd St. Edmonton, AB, likely a parishioner who needed help. His parents appear to have moved to Manor House Tullamore, Acontha, King’s Co., Ireland at a later date where they received his medals, decorations, plaque and scroll with the Cross of Sacrifice. It was stated he left a will with the Capital and COunties Bank in Witley, England on Nov 23, 1916.
Rev. Davis arrived in England on Oct 29, 1916 and assigned to the 238th battalion. He was then taken off strength on Jan 31, 1917 and headed to France. He was assigned to the HQ initially and then joined the 8th Brigade on March 13, 1917.
Rev. Davis was awarded the military cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on Jan 18, 1918. He went into No Man’s Land during the battle involving the 8th infantry brigade searching and organizing stretcher parties under heavy shelling and machine gun fire while in full view of the enemy.
Rev. Davis received leave August 5-26, 1917 and received his Military Cross on April 24, 1918. He was then posted to HQ for a week in March, 1918 from the 8th Brigade.
The 4th Mounted Rifles had become part of the 8th Brigade and participated in the taking of Le Quesnel. The 8th Brigade initially advanced to Bocourt with little resistance and few casualties. It was reported the road ahead of them had been captured so a French battalion was sent to swept the area before starting the advance on Le Quesnel. As 8th Brigade moved forward with Chaplain Davis, they suddenly came under intense machine gun fire by 45 Germans. The Germans were missed by the French sweep and the 8th Brigade was not using cover. Casualties were very high before the Germans were overrun.
Chaplain and Honorary Captain William Davis died August 9, 1918 south of Folies while officially with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles at the age of 34. He was coming to the battlefield with a stretcher party from the Le Quesnel Hospital when an enemy shell exploded at his feet killing him instantly. He is buried at the Le Quesnel Community Cemetery six miles east of Moreuil, France, grave reference 1. He is one of six veterans buried at this cemetery. He is commemorated on page 395 of the Book of Remembrance.
Rev. Davis arrived in England on Oct 29, 1916 and assigned to the 238th battalion. He was then taken off strength on Jan 31, 1917 and headed to France. He was assigned to the HQ initially and then joined the 8th Brigade on March 13, 1917.
Rev. Davis was awarded the military cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on Jan 18, 1918. He went into No Man’s Land during the battle involving the 8th infantry brigade searching and organizing stretcher parties under heavy shelling and machine gun fire while in full view of the enemy.
Rev. Davis received leave August 5-26, 1917 and received his Military Cross on April 24, 1918. He was then posted to HQ for a week in March, 1918 from the 8th Brigade.
The 4th Mounted Rifles had become part of the 8th Brigade and participated in the taking of Le Quesnel. The 8th Brigade initially advanced to Bocourt with little resistance and few casualties. It was reported the road ahead of them had been captured so a French battalion was sent to swept the area before starting the advance on Le Quesnel. As 8th Brigade moved forward with Chaplain Davis, they suddenly came under intense machine gun fire by 45 Germans. The Germans were missed by the French sweep and the 8th Brigade was not using cover. Casualties were very high before the Germans were overrun.
Chaplain and Honorary Captain William Davis died August 9, 1918 south of Folies while officially with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles at the age of 34. He was coming to the battlefield with a stretcher party from the Le Quesnel Hospital when an enemy shell exploded at his feet killing him instantly. He is buried at the Le Quesnel Community Cemetery six miles east of Moreuil, France, grave reference 1. He is one of six veterans buried at this cemetery. He is commemorated on page 395 of the Book of Remembrance.