Corporal 91147 Ernest Davies


Davies Ernest 96 400x600
For further photographs, see bottom of page.


Killed in Action on Saturday, 28th September 1918, age 27.
Buried in Grave I. J. 33. at Perth Cemetery (China Wall), Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Royal Field Artillery, 157th Brigade, ‘D' Battery. 35th Division.

Son of Mr and Mrs Davies, of 51 Peel Street, Dudley Port, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, 30th July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/103225/


Genealogical Data

1901 Census
32 & 33 Boscobel Street, Tipton, Staffs.
John Davies (42, Ironworks Puddler, born Tipton), his wife Nancy (40, born Tipton), and their 11 children: Daniel (17, Iron Moulder, born Tipton), William (14, Stocktaker, born Tipton), Lily (12, born Tipton), Harold (10, born Tipton), Ernest (9, born Tipton), Albert (7, born Tipton), Horace (5, born Tipton), Elsie (4, born Tipton), Harry (2, born Tipton), Gladys (1, born Tipton), and Frank (7 months, born Tipton).

1911 Census
51 Peel Street, Dudley Port, Tipton, Staffs.
John Davies (52, Stoker at Waterworks, born Tipton), his wife Nancy (50, born Tipton), and 11 of their 12 children: Daniel (27, Iron Moulder, born Tipton), Lily (22, born Tipton), Harold (20, Engineering Clerk, born Tipton), Ernest (19, Iron Moulder, born Tipton), Albert (17, Grocer's Assistant, born Tipton), Horace (15, Apprentice Fitter, born Tipton), Elsie (14, School, born Tipton), Harry (12, School, born Tipton), Gladys (11, School, born Tipton), Frank (10, School, born Tipton), and Alice (7, School, born Tipton).


Personal Data

Ernest's brother, Albert Davies, was also killed. Click here for Albert's detail page: Albert Davies.

After Ernest's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £18/8/3d (18 pounds, 8 shillings and 3 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Nancy, in March 1919. His War Gratuity was £19/10/0d (19 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his mother in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Ernest had enlisted in September 1914.


Action resulting in his death

The 157th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, as part of 35th Division, was involved in the 'The Advance of Flanders' from 28th September to 2nd October 1918, unofficially sometimes known as the Fifth Battle of Ypres. On 28th September 1918, the Allied Army Group of Flanders attacked and broke through the German Front to the north, east and south of the city of Ypres.

On the 28th September, 35th Division were in the area of the Ypres/Comines canal, and moved north east towards the Menin Road. At some time during this day Ernest was killed in action, most likely from counter-battery German shellfire. An article in the Tipton Herald says he was killed 'while taking his gun into position', but gives his date of death as 5th October, this date conflicts with official sources. Ernest is buried in Perth Cemetery (China Wall), just a mile south of Ypres.


Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Gazette 18th January 1917
MIDLANDS CASUALTIES.
WOUNDED.
R.F.A. - Davies, 91147, Gnr. E., (Tipton).

Tipton Herald 19th October 1918
FOUR BROTHERS OF DEAD HERO.
Mr and Mrs Davies, 51 Peel Street, Dudley Port, have received sad news of the death of their son, Ernest Davies (Bombardier RFA) killed in action while taking his gun into position on October 5th. Prior to joining the Army he was a member of the Park Lane Sunday Morning Adult School, also a member of the Tipton Park Bowling Club. He was respected by all who knew him, and is deeply mourned by his people. He has four brothers now serving in the British Army.


Davies Ernest DP 96
Plaque photograph courtesy of Don Davies.

Davies family 1905 96
Davies family, picture taken around 1905. Courtesy of Don Davies.