Prescot Roll of Honour

Service Details

Private Davies is remembered on the BICC War Memorial

He landed in France on 14th August 1914, just 10 days after the outbreak of war.

Regimental History of the South Lancs -

"On the 20th October, the Battalion, on the right of the 7th Brigade, was holding water-logged trenches near Le Transloy, north of La Bassee, With A and C Companies, under Capt F A Bagley and Captain C W Melvill, in the front line. In the afternoon a determined attack was delivered on the trenches held by these companies and was only repusled after bitter fighting, in which Lt Waldy and a number of men were killed, and Captain Bagley, Lieutenant Sleigh and many other ranks wounded. The remaining two companies, under Captain L W Herbert and Captain F M Colvile, were at once sent up in support, and remained in the front line for the night.

The morning of 21st October was misty. and at 7 am, the Germans, under cover of the fog, again attacked, surprising the Left Company of the Battalion and effecting an entry into the position. The remaining companies were now taken in enfilade, and the whole Battalion was eventually forced back, together with 2 companies of the 3rd Worcestershires, who were on the left. Desperate efforts were made by the enemy to extend the gap thus created, but the troops on the flanks held on unflinchingly, and the danger passed.

The Battalion on the 21st lost 7 officers and over 200 other ranks, killed, wounded and missing. The remnants of the unit were now sent back to billets near the Bois de Biez, mustering 10 officer and about 300 men."

So although Pte Davies is recorded as being kille din action on 24th, it seems highly likely that he actually died on 20th or 21st October 1914.

His Medal Index Card, shown below, records his entitlement to the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. It also records that he was "PD" (Presumed Dead) on 24th October.