Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Edgar Robert Davidson
Service Number: Sern 2nd Lieut.
Place of Birth: Roseworthy
Date of Birth: 31 October 1893
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 26 July 1915
Age at Enlistment: 21 years 9 months
Next of Kin: Father – Thomas Davidson
Occupation: Travelling salesman
Religion: Congregational
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant 43rd Battalion
Edgar was the son of Thomas and Jane Davidson [nee Burdon]. He did his
basic training with the 1st Depot Battalion as a private from 26 July to 31
August and served as a Sergeant from 1 September 1915 to 7 March 1916
when he transferred to the 43
rd Battalion. He embarked A19 Afric on 9 June
and proceeded overseas to France on 25 November. Edgar had been
promoted to Staff Sergeant on 14 August and was appointed Sergeant on 27
February 1917, joining No.2 Officer Cadet Battalion at Cambridge, England. He
was appointed Cadet on 7 December. Edgar completed his course at the
Officers’ Training College in England on 16 May 1918, then returned to his unit
in France.
On 4 July he was reported as killed in action at Hamel. A report stated “This
officer was wounded whilst taking part in operations at Hamel 4 July 1918 and
27
while his wound was being dressed by the stretcher bearer a shell burst close
by, a fragment of which entered his head. He died a few minutes later.”1
Edgar Davidson was buried at Hamelet Communal Cemetery. His remains
were later exhumed and reinterred in Villers –Bretonneux Military Cemetery
[Australian Memorial Cemetery], with Edgar’s mother being advised on 12
April 1920. She had received her son’s personal effects by 23 July 1918. A
photo of Edgar’s grave was sent to Thomas Davidson on 9 August 1922. He
received his son’s Victory Medal, British War Medal and Memorial Scroll
between August 1922 and March 1923.
1
NAA / B2455 /2nd Lt. E.R.Davidson.