Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold Bonner Davis was born in Unley, Parkside, SA 1899. Here he attended school in Unley, Parkside. He grew up with his brother John Bonner Davis, mother Anna Davis and father’s name unknown. Harold and his family grew up as protestant. Harold’s occupation was a Clerk and was single in his time before and after the war.

Harold Bonner Davis prior to him joining the war in 1917, he had 4 years of training in Australia as a senior cadet. The reason Australia was in the war was because they were part of the British empire. When Harold joined the war, which was a year before the war ended, he was only 18 years old. Before the first world war Australia had a legislation law that 3 levels of training boys: 12–14 years old had to enrol in the junior cadets, 14–18-year old’s enrolled in the senior cadets, and 18–26 year old’s had to register with the Commonwealth Military Forces. Cadet training was compulsory at schools and all kids had to do it. This meant Australia had a ready-made army when World War I began. He had 7 years prior of training before he joined the war in 1917. Harold started training in as junior in 1911 at the age of 12.

Harold Bonner Davis was part of the 10th Field Artillery Brigade and joined the war in 13 February 1917. His AWM Embarkation Roll number was 13/128/2. His roll title was FAB [Field Artillery Brigade] – 27 to 35 Reinforcements. His unit name was Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 32. Harold originally went to sign up for the war in Adelaide but was turned down due to his age which was 18. You had to be 19 to be sent overseas to fight in the war. Because of his age, he went to sign up in Melbourne which was a successful because they said yes. He embarked Melbourne on the 26th November 1917, on board SS Indarra. Harold participated in the war from November 1917- June 1918. Harold Bonner Davis on participated in the for 7 months. The SS Indarra could travel up to 16 knots per hour and was made from steel. The engine of the ship was a Twin Quadruple.

Harold first arrived in London but then he was moved to France to fight the Germans in the spring offensive attack. The location they fought in was Northern France, West Flanders, Belgium. The 10th artillery brigade was part of the 3rd division in Australia. The spring offensive started from 21 March – 18 July 1918. This battle took place within 5 months.

Harold Bonner Davis suffered from an iron shrapnel wound. He spent 5 months recovering from this serious injury. An exploding bombshell caused a shrapnel wound, which took 5 months to recover which meant Harold left the war. This injury occurred in June 1918. He was finally discharged from the hospital in 20/11/18. Harold Bonner Davis fought in the German spring offensive in 1918 which was part of the western front in World War 1. This battle would have taken place 4 months into him joining the war. In the event of Harold’s death his mother would receive all his belonging as she was the next of kin in his will.

It possible that Harold experienced many sleepless nights. The conditions in the war were very tough and required a big amount of perseverance. Harold was awarded the Victory War Medal like every other soldier in Australia who went to war. Harold was a great example of someone who showed the Anzac spirit and he was very loyal to his country and chose to leave his cadet training to fight in the war. Harold was lucky to return from the war alive.  ANZAC stands for Australian, New Zealand, Army Corps.

Sadly, Harold Bonner Davis passed away in October 21st 1970 due to old age, but the location of his death is unknown. Today you can find Harold Bonner Davis in the Plaque in South Australian Garden of Remembrance Cemetery. I hope Harold’s story inspires other people and that we can honour his memory.