Description
Queen’s South Africa Medal, 5 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, 5581 Private John Davis, 2nd Bn Wilts Regiment.
Officially impressed: “5581 Pte J. Davis, 2nd Wilts: Regt”
Official correction to his service number “5581” only.
Davis went over to France with the British Expeditionary Force on 7th October 1914, and was in action at the First Battle of Ypres when he was killed in action on 24th October 1914.
According to an entry in Holts Battlefield Guide regarding this day:
“24th October 1914, Territorials in Action,
During the German push along the Menin Road on the 24th October 1914, a Battalion of the 244th Reserve Infantry Regiment overwhelmed the 2nd Wiltshires in the eastern edge of Polygon Wood, causing heavy casualties.
The 2nd Warwickshires and Northumberland Hussars were brought up to reinforce them and the Warwicks were successful in clearing the enemy from the wood, an action regarded as the first serious engagement of a Territorial Unit in the Great War.”
John Davis had been born locally in Corsham, Wilts, and had attetsed for service at Chippenham, Wilts.
The medal index card for his 1914 Star, Clasp and Trio has the following noted at the bottom:
“Officer in Command of Infantry Records – Exter, makes application regarding disposal of medals, 17th Nov 1921.”
