DAVIS, William John
| Service Number: | 45064 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 May 1951, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Telegrapher |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Murchison F442 |
| Born: | Payneham, South Australia, 21 November 1928 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Painter |
| Died: | Died of Illness (paralytic ileus following appendectomy), Kure, Japan, 10 January 1954, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Yokohama War Cemetery Yokohama War Cemetery, Yokohama, Kanto, Japan |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
Peacekeeping Service
| 14 Sep 1947: | Involvement 45064 |
|---|
Korean War Service
| 25 Jun 1950: | Involvement 45064 |
|---|
Non Warlike Service
| 7 May 1951: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, 45064, Adelaide, South Australia |
|---|
Peacekeeping Service
| 2 Nov 1953: | Involvement Royal Australian Navy, Telegrapher, 45064, HMAS Murchison F442 |
|---|
Help us honour William John Davis's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography
Telegraphist on HMAS Murchison, Royal Australian Navy
Korea, 1953-1957 (Post-Armistice service - ceasefire monitoring)
Biography contributed by John Baker
Telegraphist William John Davis (Service Number: 45064) served in the Royal Australian Navy aboard HMAS Murchison during the post-armistice period of the Korean War (1953–1957).
Born on 21 November 1928 in Norwood, South Australia, he enlisted on 7 May 1951. Davis tragically passed away on 10 January 1954 in Kure, Japan, due to illness following an appendectomy. He was 25 years old at the time of his death. He is interred at the Yokohama War Cemetery in Japan.
HMAS Murchison, a Modified River (Bay)-class frigate, was commissioned in December 1945. The vessel saw extensive service during the Korean War, notably participating in the Naval Battle of the Han River in September 1951. During this engagement, Murchison was heavily engaged by Chinese shore installations while conducting riverine operations. Four sailors were wounded in the encounter, while Murchison destroyed a number of Chinese gun positions.
Following the armistice in July 1953, HMAS Murchison continued to patrol Korean waters as part of the United Nations Command to preserve the independence of the Republic of Korea. These operations were crucial in maintaining stability in the region during the post-war period.
Telegraphist Davis's service and sacrifice are commemorated on the Australian War Memorial's Roll of Honour, which honors Australian servicemen and women who have died in non-warlike operations.
His dedication during a critical period of ceasefire monitoring in Korea exemplifies the commitment of Australian naval personnel to international peacekeeping efforts.
Lest We Forget.
— Rod Hutchings
Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association
Click images to start slideshow.