Military History

Embarked Fremantle HMAT ‘Berrima’ for England 23.12.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit with 8th Reinf. 5th Pioneer Bn.
Davis disembarked at Devonport, England. He marched in to Larkhill to the Pioneer Training Bn. 18.2.1917. He was transferred to the 10th Bn. , (3rd Training Bn) at Fovant 11.7.1917. Davis proceeded overseas to France with 10th Bn. 11.7.1917. He marched in to Havre 8.8.1917. Davis was wounded in action 1.10.1917 during the Battle of Polygon Wood. He was hospitalised with wounds/abrasions following a bomb wound to his feet. He rejoined his unit and was detached to the Mining Corp 5.10.1917. Davis was recorded as illegally absent 2.1.1918 – 3.2.1918. He was charged with desertion and sentenced to 5 years hard labour in 15.2.1918. His sentence was remitted 3.5.1918 and he proceeded overseas to France with his Bn. The 10th Bn. took part in a series of defensive actions from March to April around the British held rail centre of Hazebrouk. Davis was fighting with 7D Coy., 8 Platoon, when he was KIA by bullet fire at the Strazzelle front, right of Merris, near Hazebrouck, France 30.5.1918 (AWM Red Cross File) (NAA files variously describes his dates of death as 30.5.1918 and 1.6.1918. He was buried 11.6.1918, at the Borre British Cemetery, (Bois Road ) 1 ½ miles east of Hazebrouck, Nord pas de Calais, France.
Final Rank Private, 19th Infantry Bn. 10th Australian Infantry Bn.
Medical Condition Dec’d, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes An Englishman by birth, Davis had lived in South Australia prior to enlisting in WA. On his death the unexpired portion of his suspended sentence was remitted as of 30.5.1918. His mother was informed of his death and received his medals. He was known by his friends a Charlie. The photograph shown was  found on the battle fields of France and shows a C. Davis- possibly this soldier. The entry to james Morrison's WaterHall Estate was from East Street and across the Helena River to South Guildford
Photos  HMAS 'Berrima' under construction 1913. Unsourced image  from Wikipedia
            Australian soldiers training in fitness at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM  H00450
            Stretcher bearers passing through a cemetery at Polygon Wood 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01912
            Hazebrouck- shell damaged store. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E2285
            Bombing of Stratzeele, watched by Australian troop at Borre 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E02026
            Pte. C. Davis. Photo found on battlefield at Cambrai. Photograph source Sunday Times 14.4.1918 p13

Information Source
AWM  H00450. Australian soldiers training in fitness at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E01912. Stretcher bearers passing through a cemetery at Polygon Wood 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E2285. Hazebrouck- shell damaged store. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Roll of the Australian Mar Memorial
AWM  E02026. Bombing of Stratzeele, watched by Australian troop at Borre 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- William Charles Davis
AWM Roll of Honour- William Charles Davis
AWM Red Cross File- William Charles Davis
Guildford War Memoria
NAA: B2455, Davis W C
St Matthew’s Church Honour Roll  Fallen soldiers
Sunday Times
Wikipedia. HMAS 'Berrima' under construction 1913. Unsourced image  from  website, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Berrima
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories

Water Hall, East Guildford. WA.

Associated Images