SAPPER HENRY DAVIS
5721 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company
Henry Davis was born on September 21, 1886 in Cairns, North Queensland the son of Daniel and Maria (nee Hale) Davis. He served a five year Apprenticeship as a Tinsmith with G. Waugh in Newcastle N.S.W. He married in Newcastle, NSW in 1908 to Evelyne Sault.
At the Recruiting Depot A.I.F. in Newcastle, NSW on May 6, 1916 the twenty-nine year old applied to enlist for service abroad. Passing the medical examination personal particulars taken reveal he was 165cms (5ft 5ins) tall with the 92cms (36in) chest measurement. Declared fit for service the recruiting officer accepted his application.
Attestation forms were completed giving further information that he weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest expansion of 87-92cms (34-36ins) and his blue eyes tested to good vision. Dark was his complexion with black hair and his religious faith was Church of England. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Evelyn Davis of Kenrick Street, Junction, NSW and changed later to Buchanan Street, Merewether, Newcastle, NSW and allotted three-fifths of his pay to support her and his children. He signed and took the “Oath of Allegiance” the same day.
At the Newcastle Depot Battalion Private Davis was allotted to ‘B Coy’ on May 15, 1916 for basic training. On July 5, 1916 he was transferred to the Miners’ training camp at Seymour, Victoria and assigned to the November, 1916 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. The regimental number was 5721 and the rank of Sapper was assigned to him.
The 516 Reinforcements departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm aboard the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy weather was experienced going around the Cape and arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth and marched into the Aust Details Camp at Perham Downs.
The Reinforcements proceeded from Folkstone for France on January 29, 1917 on board S.S. Onward and marched into the Aust General Base Depot at Etaples a day later.
Sapper Davis was attached on February 24, 1917 to the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company.
On October 30, 1917 he appeared before a General Field Court Martial held in the field for the following:
Charge:W.O.A.S. [While on Active Service] using disobedient language to his
superior officer.
Sentence:42 days F.P. No. 1 [Field Punishment] Confirmed by Col. E.R. Johnwood
C.O. XV Corps Troops
Period of arrest:7 days
Total forfeiture:49 days pay.
He went sick on January 21, 1918 to the 15th Casualty Clearing Station and admitted with debility and returned to duty on January 31.
Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months abroad.
He returned sick to hospital on June 5, 1918 being admitted to the 8th C.C.S. suffering from Urticaria (Hives) and discharged to duty on June 16. Ten days later he returned to the 8th C.C.S. and admitted with Malaria and rejoined his unit on July 7, 1918.
He was taken on strength with the Unit on August 1, 1918 from Supernumeracy.
The following is an extract from the Diary of Hughie Dodds who was a member of the A.E.M.M.B.C
On September 23, 1918 he went sick to the New Zealand Stationary Hospital with debility and was discharged to rejoin his unit on October 3.
He was admitted sick to the 119th Field Ambulance on October 14, 1918 with Influenza and transferred to the 10th C.C.S. Conveyed the following day on A.T.5 to the 3rd Stationary Hospital he remained until October 19 when released to the 2nd Convalescent Depot travelling to Rouen on A.T.10. Further time was spent at the 1st Convalescent Depot at Havre. He was discharged on October 29 to the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles. He rejoined his unit on November 3, 1918.
When Armistice was declared he was with his unit and the Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation by clearing roads and bridges of bombs and traps left by the enemy.
Leave was granted from France from February 7 until February 21, 1919 and rejoined the following day.
Recalled for demobilisation they marched out on March 26 and into the A.I.B.D. at Havre then crossed the English Channel arriving at the No. 3 Group camp at Codford a day later.
He was admitted to the No. 4 Group Camp Hospital and rejoined his unit on May 4, 1919.
Sapper Davis embarked for home on the H.T. Nestor from Liverpool on May 20, 1919. His wife was advised by Base Records on June 23, 1919 that he was returning. The ship docked in Sydney, NSW (2nd M.D.) on July 4, 1919.
Military Discharge was issued from Sydney, NSW on August 12, 1919 on the termination of his period of enlistment.
Proceedings of the District Field Court Martial was forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office and filed as No. 8884 on May 17, 1920.
The British War Medal (61771) and the Victory Medal (59772) were awarded to Sapper 5721 Henry Davis, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining and Boring Company for serving his country for 1182 days including 941 days abroad.
In 1933 their address was 96 Darby Street, Newcastle, NSW and his occupation was tinsmith. 14 Queen Street, Newcastle was their residence in 1936 changing to 244 King Street the following year and his occupation was a labourer. From 1943 to 1949 he was a watchman residing at 238 King Street and in 1954 were settled at 9 Fullerton Street, Stockton, NSW.
A Statement of Service was issued by Base Records on October 15, 1946 to the Repatriation Commissioner in Sydney, NSW.
A Statutory Declaration was completed on May 4th, 1962 from Henry Davis at Fullerton Street, Stockton requesting a Duplicate Discharge declaring he wished to join the R.S.S.A.I.L.A. as the writing on his present one was indistinguishable. A Statement of Service was forwarded on May 28, 1962.
Henry Davis died on March 12, 1966 aged 80 years in Newcastle, NSW.
© Donna Baldey 2011