7962
DAVIS, John
| Service Number: | 2909 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot (AIF) |
| Born: | Woodville, South Australia, 14 April 1892 |
| Home Town: | North Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Felt hatter |
| Died: | 13 September 1969, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Black Forest North Adelaide Melbourne Street Methodist Church Roll of Honor, North Adelaide Christ Church Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 32nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 2909, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 2909, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Aeneas, Adelaide | |
| 14 May 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, 2909, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Admitted to government hospital Suez due to mild influenza | |
| 6 Jun 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Embarked from Alexandria, Egypt and arrived at Plymouth, England on 16 June | |
| 5 Sep 1916: | Transferred Private, 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot (AIF), Went overseas to France on 5 September 1916 and marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot | |
| 10 Feb 1917: | Wounded Private, 2909, Was admitted to the No. 15 Australian Field Ambulance due to defective vision and transferred through several medical units before rejoining on 20 February 1917. | |
| 17 Feb 1919: | Transferred Private, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Embarked for England on 17 February 1919, then proceeded to Le Havre, France, to Weymouth, England. | |
| 18 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, 2909, 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot (AIF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Dominic's Priory College
John Davis was born on 14 April 1892 in Woodville, South Australia, to Harpley Davis and Fanny Jane Davis (née Sisman), who lived in North Adelaide. He was the 3rd child in a family of 4 children, consisting of 1 girl and 3 brothers, however, the eldest son named Harpley Davis died soon after birth. Before John enlisted, he worked as Felt Hatter.
John Davis enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force papers on 1 March 1916 at the age of 23 years and 10 months old. He embarked overseas on the 11 April 1916 as a private in the 32nd Infantry Battalion, 6th Reinforcement. While serving in Egypt, John Davis was admitted to government hospital Suez on 14 May 1916 due to mild influenza.
On 6 June 1916, John Davis embarked from Alexandria, Egypt, and arrived at Plymouth, England on 16 June 1916. Shortly after on 4 July 1916, he was admitted to Fargo Military hospital with conjunctivitis. After being discharged on 10 July 1916 he marched into the 8th training Battalion at Larkhill.
John Davis was then sent overseas to France on 5 September 1916 and marched into the 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples, France the following day. He proceeded to that unit until 21 September when he transferred to the 32nd Battalion and was in the field until the 24th of September 1916.
During his service, John Davis experienced several medical issues relating to his eyesight. On 10 February 1917 John Davis was admitted to the No. 15 Australian Field Ambulance due to defective vision and was transferred through several medical units before rejoining his battalion on 20 February 1917. John Davis was granted leave to England from 27 august until 10 September 1917.
On 7 January 1918, John Davis was admitted to hospital again due to a refractive eye condition that results in blurred vision, he later rejoined the unit on 9 January 1918. On 12 September 1918 John Davis was evacuated to hospital then rejoined the unit on 15 September 1918. He went on leave from 3 October to 25 October 1918.
Towards the end of war, John Davis embarked for England on 17 February 1919, then proceeded to Le Havre, France, to Weymouth, England, where he joined group No.5 on 24 April 1919. He was soon admitted sick to the hospital on 29 April 1919.
John Davis returned to Australia on 5 July aboard the HT Port Melbourne and arrived in Adelaide on 18 August 1919. His military service officially ended on 10 October 1919.
3 days after his termination, John Davis married Lilly Felicity Ford. Their first child, Laurel Joyce Davis was born in Norwood, South Australia, on 15 September 1920. Their 2nd child, John Clifton Davis born in April 1922, followed by Geoffrey Clyde Davis born in July 1924 and Alan Douglas Davis in March 1927.
He lived a long life and died on 13 September 1989 at the age of 77. He is now buried in Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia. His service is commemorated on memorials including Black Forest North Adelaide Melbourne Street Methodist Church roll of Honor located in Unley, South Australia and the North Adelaide Christ church Honor board.
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