Henry Bartlett DAVIS MC

DAVIS, Henry Bartlett

    Service Number: Commissioned
    Enlisted: 6 September 1916
    Last Rank: Lieutenant
    Last Unit: 13th Infantry Battalion
    Born: Maclean, New South Wales, Australia, 1896
    Home Town: Fairfield, Fairfield, New South Wales
    Schooling: Not yet discovered
    Occupation: Assistant Examiner, Local Government Department
    Died: Killed In Action, France, 2 October 1918
    Cemetery: Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile
    Plot I, Row D, Grave 19 Headstone Inscription "AT REST"
    Memorials:
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    World War 1 Service

    6 Sep 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Commissioned, 13th Infantry Battalion
    25 Nov 1916: Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Commissioned, 13th Infantry Battalion, Embarked on HMAT 'A72' Beltana from Sydney on 25th November 1916, disembarking Devonport, England on 29th January 1917.
    25 Jun 1917: Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Commissioned, 13th Infantry Battalion, Proceeded to France from Tidworth, England on 25th June 1917.
    16 Aug 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 13th Infantry Battalion
    15 Oct 1917: Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Commissioned, 13th Infantry Battalion, On 15th October 1917 at Bromseide Lieutenant Davis was mustard gassed but carried on until the 18th when he was blind and was sent to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and then transferred to 3rd London General Hospital on 26th October. Discharged to Command Depot at Sutton Veny on 19th November 1917.
    19 Dec 1917: Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Commissioned, 13th Infantry Battalion, Proceeded to France from Southampton, England on 19th December 1917, rejoining 13th Infantry Battalion on 24th December 1917.

    On 26th March 1918 was seconded to 4th Australian Infantry Brigade as Intelligence Officer and then was detached for duty with 2nd American Corps on 24th September 1918.
    2 Oct 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Commissioned, 13th Infantry Battalion, Breaching the Hindenburg Line - Cambrai / St Quentin Canal, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 13 Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-10-02
    21 Nov 1918: Honoured Military Cross, Breaching the Hindenburg Line - Cambrai / St Quentin Canal, 'This Officer is brought to notice for his very useful and gallant conduct during the operations near Le VERGUIER N.W. of ST. QUENTIN, and against the HINDENBURG outpost line to the East thereof on 18th September 1918.
    He is the Brigade Intelligence Officer, prior to the commencement of the operations he carried out a very daring reconnaissance along the whole brigade frontage, and definitely located the whereabouts of all the enemy posts and positions immediately on our front.
    Subsequently he supervised the laying of the 'Jumping off' tapes for the Brigade. During the progress of the fight he went forward with the assaulting troops and kept Brigade constantly advised as to the progress of events.
    Throughout the whole operations he displayed the utmost gallantry in the carrying out of his duties. He was instrumental on obtaining much valuable information and throughout was subject to very heavy Machine Gun and Artillery fire. He displayed an utter disregard for his own personal safety and very materially contributed to the success of these operations.
    He is strongly recommended for distinction.'

    (Sgd) E.D. BROCKMAN Lt. Col.
    Comdng. 4th Aust. Inf. Bde.

    (Sgd) E.G. SINCLAIR MACLAGAN. Mjr. Gen.
    Comdng 4th Aust. Div.

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    Biography contributed by Daryl Jones

    Son of George and Jessie McKinnon DAVIS, of "Norwood," Canley Road, Fairfield, New South Wales. Native of Maclean.

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