Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of George and Martha Davies of Simpson's Road, Eaglehawk, Victoria.

Next of kin given as his brother George Davies of Glenrowan, Victoria before returning to Simpson's Road, Eaglehawk. Also brother of T.R. Davies of Camp Hotel, Eaglehawk and Selina Joyce Davies

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Was a member of the Kerang Rifle Club for a short time

IN SAD BUT LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR BROTHER

David Mancel Davies, known as Mancel, was born in Eaglehawk, the son of George & Matilda Davies.   Both parents were deceased and he named his brother, George L. Davies of 11 Simpson’s Rd, Eaglehawk, as his Next-of-Kin.    Mancel was a Blacksmith, employed at Wilson’s coach-building factory, Kerang.   He had previously been a Blacksmith’s assistant at the New Moon mine.    He was 22 years & 3 months old and had 6 months military service as a member of the Kerang Rifle Club.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlistingin Eaglehawk on 18.8.14.    The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 778 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.   

Prior to Embarkation his friends presented him with a silver-mounted wallet.   He was also presented with a memento by the Borough of Eaglehawk (Pocket wallet, wristlet watch, or shaving outfit)   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.

David Mancel Davies was KIA on 25/4/15.     He was a member of 14th Platoon, D Company, which sustained a high number of casualties.   The Platoon had gone forward from the main body and was out past Lone Pine.    The advance line succeeded in keeping the Turks back on the Third Ridge until late in the afternoon.   Retreating at last, they were overrun by the Turks.   Mancel Davies was one of the men reported ‘Missing’.   

Cpl. John Truesdale.  Letter:  “It concerns  Cpl Stan Dunstan and Privates Bill Stewart, Mancel Davies and Harry Stevens.   We were all together in the landing.   . . . .  We then got the order to advance, and we did.   Major Blezard and dozens of men went down.   Then Lieutenant E. Connelly gave the order to climb down the cliff in sections, and that’s where we all got separated, and got a rough time too.   Mancel, Stan and Bill must have swung round to the right.   This was about 8 o’clock in the morning of 25/4/15, and I have not seen nor heard of them since.   I have made inquiries everywhere, and have asked hundreds of returned wounded men, and nobody can tell me anything.”  [Bendigonian January 20, 1916]   

A Board of Inquiry was held in France on 5/6/16.   This determined David Mancel Davies:  “Previously reported Missing now reported Killed in Action”.   

Originally buried in an unmarked grave, his body was later discovered in the vicinity of Lone Pine.   His body was re-interred in the Lone Pine Cemetery (1920)   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone