Name
Walter Faulkner Davies
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
28690
New Zealand Field Artillery
15th Battery, 1st Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Walter Davies was born in the autumn of 1886 at Abbots Langley, one of two sons born to John and Margaret Davies. John Davies was the Head Gardener and Bailiff at the Manor House in Abbots Langley and at the time of the 1891 and 1901 Census, the family lived at the Manor House Gardener’s Cottage at Kitters Green.
At some point before the Great War Walter emigrated to New Zealand, and returned to serve with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Walter attested on 27th June 1916. The Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph noted that Walter embarked on 11th October 1916 aboard HMNZ Transport “Tofua” with the rank of Private with the 18th Reinforcements for “A” Company of the Auckland Infantry Battalion. Seventy-eight days later, on 28th December he arrived at Plymouth. Walter gave his occupation as “Self-employed Farmer” when he enlisted and was living at Whakapirua, Auckland. He confirmed his father, John, as Next of Kin, and gave his father’s address at “Langley” Mauku, Auckland, so it appears that his father had emigrated too.
Walter’s Service Record noted that on 7th March 1917, whilst still in the UK, he was transferred to the Army Service Corps where he served as a Driver, before being posted to the New Zealand Field Artillery, as a Gunner, on 22nd April 1918. It was not until 9th September 1918 that Walter was sent to France, and after a short period at Etaples, was posted in the Field to the 15th Battery, 1st Brigade, New Zealand Field Artillery. He served with the 15th Battery through to the end of the War.
On 17th November 1918 Walter was admitted to the 3rd New Zealand Field Ambulance suffering from influenza, and remained there until he returned to the 15th Battery on 27th November. He remained in France until 18th February 1919, when he returned to the UK. On 12th April 1919 Walter embarked at Tilbury aboard HMNZ Transport “Pakeha” and disembarked at Wellington on 30th May 1919. He was discharged at Wellington on 27th June 1919.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour listed Walter for the first time in September 1917, and he was recorded each month through to the end of the War.
Walter Davies survived the War.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
