Military History

Embarked per HMAT ‘Suevic’ to England 6.6.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 18th Reinf. 11th Bn. AIF.
Davis disembarked at Plymouth with the 18th Reinf. of the 11th Bn. 21.7.1916. He marched into Perham Downs with 3rd Training Coy. After a few months of training, he proceeded overseas to France 5.9.1916. He fought on the Somme in the harsh winter of 1916-17. Davis was hospitalised 29.1.1917 with hepatitis and discharged 13.2.1917. He was struck off strength, however, rejoined his Bn. 13.3.1917. Davis was KIA 10.4.191 during the advance against the retreating German Army, in what became known as the Third Battle of Ypres. His remains were not recovered. He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial M.R.26. Part 11- C-.F.
Final Rank Private 11th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Dec’d, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Davis’ wife Janie was the daughter of William George Johnson of Johnson St. Guildford (WM 10.8.1917) Janie Davis was hospitalized at Claremont Home for the Insane in 1922. His War Medals held by Official Trustees ‘until wife s recovery or the children are old enough to receive it’. His wife died 23.7.1918.
His Mother lost 3 sons in WW1 also Reginald and Frederick. Gilbert survived. Their younger sister Judy Davis became a famous actresss in Hollywood.

Photo Pte Walter Herbert Davis SN 5862. Image reproduced with permission from Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire (Facsimile Edition) Hesperian Press 2014
           Davis brothers. . Image reproduced with permission from Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire (Facsimile Edition) Hesperian Press 2014
           HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03216
           Winter on the Somme near Albert. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00166
           Road to Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, Photograph source AWM E00827
           Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
Ashworth & Palmer, Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empirer 1914-18.  Facsimile Edition 2014. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press
AWM A03216. HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E00166. Winter on the Somme near Albert. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E00827. Road to Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Walter Herbert Davis
AWM Roll of Honour- Walter Herbert Davis
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Legislative Council Electoral Rolls 1914. Governement Printers WA. 1914
St Matthew’s Church Honour Roll
St Matthew’s Church Honour Roll –Fallen
NAA: B2455, Davis W H
Western Mail
Wise H and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

‘Wootacarra’ Victoria Street, Guildford. WA. (wife)
Market Street and 4 Stirling Street, Guildford. WA. (Mother)

 

Associated Images