Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Douglas Davidson who was killed in action on 10th April 1918 was the eldest of three brothers, sons of George D and Emma Davidson. He was born in 1883 and came to the School in 1900. He was with us for two years and then went to his father's station 'Geralda' Cootamundra, New South Wales. He enlisted in King Edward's Horse, and took part in one of the most gallant episodes in the war. This was the stand made by a section of King Edward's Horse at a critical period of the German rush in April 1918 in their endeavour to break through the British lines and seize the channel ports. Inquiries made concerning the fate of Douglas Davidson, who took part in the brave resistance of a small party against overwhelming odds, have elicited the following letter from Colonel Lionel James, the officer commanding King Edward's Horse: "I have made exhaustive inquiries from repatriated prisoners of war about Douglas Davidson. As far as I can gather he was one of a party of four with Lieutenant Pinckney, of my regiment, who tried to cut their way through the Boches who had enveloped the bridge head at Vielle Chapelle. Of this party corporal Jellman was wounded and taken prisoner and Corporal Bowen was taken prisoner. Lieutenant Pinckney and Davidson were seen to fall, and must, I regret to say now, be presumed to have been killed. Davidson was a very gallant youth, and on those great days of 9th and 10th of April had fought gallantly against numerous odds. That B Squadron (to which he belonged) of my regiment, I had to sacrifice in one of the Homeric episodes of the war. The stake was Calais and Channel ports. If we had not been able to hold on to our bridge head over the Law River for 48 hours, anything might have happened, as the reinforcing division was late. It was a great grief to me that I had to order the sacrifice of so many of my splendid men, but necessity knows no other law in war. Of this Davidson's people may be assured, that the Boches paid a heavy toll before he was killed, and the episode in which he gave his life is admitted to be one of the most brilliant of the War."

War Services Old Melburnians 1914 - 1918

Douglas was born in 1883 in Carlton, Victoria

His parents were George Douglas DAVIDSON and Emma SHORT