No.13623, Private, Frederick Harold DAVEY
Aged 22
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Frederick Harold Davey was born in 1893 in Barnham (Thetford Q2-1893 4B:393), son of Frederick and Anna DAVEY (née PORTER).
1901 census...As Harold, aged 8, he was in Barnham with his father Frederick DAVEY [46] gardener's labourer; his mother Anna [45] born Feltwell, brothers William [19]a corn miller, Arthur [17] errand boy, Charles [11] and Frank [9]; sister Florence [4]. All except his mother were born in Barnham. 1911 census...As Harold, aged 18, he was in Barnham with his parents; brothers Charles (road labourer), Frank (gardener) and sister Florence |
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He enlisted in Barnham. CWGC have his death as on 25th September, but his medal index card and the register of soldier effects show death presumed on or since 2nd October.
One explanation is that the battle commenced for the 9th Suffolk on 25th and some 54 men were missing at the end of the battle. Fresh out from England, like so many others at Loos, and encountering gas for the first time as well, it must have been a staggering ordeal. Forming up after a march to Vermelles, they advanced in the direction Hulluch to Vendin-le-Vieil. and passed our own lines, the German front line and the German support line before being held up and digging in with the German support line still behind them. At 5 am they were ordered back to the German support line. Another attack was ordered on the 26th, orders being confused and delayed, they advanced just before noon but were checked at the Lens-Hulluch road and from 5 pm for three hours they fought to maintain their position, which they did until relieved just after midnight on the 26th. This baptism of fire cost the 9th Suffolks 135 casualties. 12 recorded by CWGC as killed on 25th and 11 on 26th. The Bury Free Press of 16th September reported:- BARNHAM AND EUSTON LADS IN CASUALTY LISTS Herewith two portraits of two Barnham and Euston lads who have been included in the casualty lists. They are Pvt Bertie Davey, 8th Suffolks,eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H.Davey, Barnham Road, Euston; and Lc-Cpl Harold Davey, 9th Suffolk, son of Mr.and Mrs,F.Davey of Barnham. Both have served on various periods in the firing line on the Western Frontier, the former being wounded on July 19th, and the latter being reported missing as far back as Sept.1915. The anxious parents of Lc-Cpl Davey would be glad to hear from any comrade who was with him on the day he was reported missing. The above is confirmed by Bertie's Army records and he was recovered and survived until the last year of the war. Harold(he was actually Frederick, like his father) was presumed to have died on or since 2nd October 1915
photo: Roy Beardsworth click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
