3099 Private Edwin Samuel Davis
[WIA*** DOW]
59th Infantry Battalion,
15th Brigade,
5th Division
1st Australian Imperial Force
1914-1919
This file last updated
1 November, 2024 12:08
Introduction
Edwin Davis enlisted on 9 Jul 1915 at the age of 35 and his next-of-kin recorded as his wife Catherine Davis. He was posted
as a member of the 10th Reinforcements to the 5th Battalion, which at that time still serving on the GALLIPOLI PENINSULA,
but withdrew to EGYPT while he was on the Troop Ship en route.
He embarked for the MIDDLE EAST from BRISBANE on RMS "OSTERLEY on 29 Sep 1915 and on
7 Jan 1915 at TEL-EL-KEBIR was taken onto the strength of the 5th Battalion.
The Australian and New Zealand troops were withdrawn from GALLIPOLI in late December and the AIF in EGYPTwas at this time undergoing
dramatic expansion and reorganisation prior to embarking to FRANCE. Half of the battle-hardened GALLIPOLI troops in each unit were
reassigned to form the backbone of new units being created to form new Divisions, while the reinforcements arriving from AUSTRALIA were
often reallocated to form the remainder of those new units.
Because of this reorganisation, he was first reallocated to the 57th Battalion on 19 Feb 1916 and finally on 15 Mar
1916 to the 59th Battalion where he served until his death in 1918.
Edwin Davis embarked from ALEXANDRIA to join the BEF on 29 Mar 1916, disembarking
at MARSEILLES on 5 Apr 1916, just in time for his unit to take part in the battle of the SOMME.
He was wounded in action (WIA) for the first time on 19 Jul 1916, the first day of the battle of FROMELLES, suffering from shell shock.
It was almost 13 months before he could return to the Battalion. 15 days later, on 26 Jul 1917 he was again wounded. This time he returned to
duty within three days. Edwin was wounded for the third and final time on 25 Apr 1918, and succumbed to those wounds.
Edwin's body was exhumed after the war, and reburied in the ADELAIDE CEMETERY at VILLERS-BRETTONEUX, but as the reports in his file are undated,
it is difficult to determine when this actually occured. The reference was initially ADELAIDE CEMETERY, VILLERS-BRETONNEUX III.M.18. FRANCE
and a contemporaneous change in nomenclature now states "The grave of Edwin Samuel Davis is now to be found in Plot 3, Row M, Grave 6".
The change is from Grave 18 to Grave 6.
The Red Cross reports (which I have presented in red) of his death are at best confusing in the witness descriptions, and it can only be
assumed that being wounded themselves, the witnesses may have confused two or more events occuring concurrently. According to those witnesses
he was at least an acting Corporal at the time of his death, but this is not reflected in his Service Record.
Details concerning the 59th Battalion AIF taken from the entry on the Australian War Memorial site and the
wikipedia entry for the 59th Battalion AIF.
Documents concerning Edwin Davis include those below - the Service Record is a large file and is presented in two parts:
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Record of Service, Part 1;
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Record of Service Part 2
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Red Cross file;
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Commonwealth War Graves Notice;
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Roll of Honour;
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WW1 Embarkation Roll; and
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WW1 Nominal Roll.
See also the booklet Where Australians Rest
which was issued by the Australian Government to the next-of-kin of those who died in the
service of their country. The latter three items depend upon the clarity of the AWM scan,
and may be difficult to read.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Abbreviations or acronyms which have a dotted underline can be expanded by moving the cursor
over the term - e.g. WIA. The cursor will be replaced by
? and the expanded abbreviation will be displayed. This is gradually being
incorporated into the site, replacing the the current expansion of abbreviations. There may
be a discernable delay of about a second before the expansion is first provided.
There is also a separate list of abbreviations which is available
through the menu at the top of this page or the hyperlink here. Abbreviations are inconsistent,
even within a single occurence where a term is abbreviated.
There are a number of sources for tracing abbreviations used in Australian and New Zealand service records.
Those used when operating with the British or US forces can generally be found, especially in World War 1.
Abbreviations used solely within Australia in WW2 are most difficult to trace, particularly when they are
regional. Sometimes a 'best guess' is the only answer.
Duplicated Pages
Some of the service information may appear to be duplicated although individual occurrences are not in the
same order and different abbreviations used. This occurs when the unit and Army records are amalgamated upon
discharge or death in Service.
Service Numbers
Service numbers in WW1 were unique to the unit (e.g. Battalion) or Corps (e.g. Artillery). In WW2 Service
Numbers were unique to the State in which they were allotted. For further information about identity numbers
for Service personnel, see Regimental and Service Numbers
Dates of Occurrence and Reporting
The date of reporting an incident may be hours, days or months after the date on which incident actually occurred.
The original service record is amended only when the incident is reported which means that events are not necessarily
recorded in in strict chronological sequence. This is the date shown on the left of the page of the original record,
and also on the left in my transcription but readers should note that at times there may be no date of reporting at
all, particularly when service personel are repatriated for discharge at the end of hostilities.
To assist the reader, when transcribing the military record I have done my best to record events in their chronological sequence.
This is date is on the right of the page of the original record and also on the right in my transcription.
For clarity I have transcribed all dates into the format d MMM yyyy.
The following information and chronological table are a summary of the entries from the
service record of Edwin Samuel Davis. Over the course of the war there were a number of versions of the questions
put to the enlistees.
AUSTRALIAN
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MILITARY FORCES
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AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
Attestation paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad
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No.
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3099
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Name
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DAVIS, Edwin Samuel
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Unit
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10th Reinforcements to 5thInfantry Battalion
57the Infantry Battalion
59th Infantry Battalion
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Joined
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9 July 1915
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Questions to be put to the Person Enlisting before Attestation
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1.
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What is your Name?
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1.
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Edwin Samuel Davis
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2.
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In what Parish or Town were you born?
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2.
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North Melbourne
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3.
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Are you a natural born British Subject or a Naturalised British Subject? (N.B. — If the latter, papers to be shown)
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3.
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N B Brit Subject
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4.
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What is your age?
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4.
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35
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5.
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What is your trade or calling?
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5.
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Labourer
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6.
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Are you, or have you been, an Apprentice? If so, where, to whom, and for what period?
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6.
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No
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7.
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Are you married?
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7.
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Yes
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8.
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Who is your next of kin? (Address to be stated)
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8.
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(Wife) Catherine Davis
97 O'Shannessey St
North Melbourne, Vic
38 Elm St, Northcote, Vic
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9.
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Have you ever been convicted by the Civil Power?
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9.
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No
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10.
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Have you ever been discharged from any part of His Majesty's Forces, with Ignomony, or as Incorrigible
and Worthless, or on account of Conviction of Felony, or of a Sentence of Penal Servitude, or have you
been dismissed with Disgrace from the Navy?
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10.
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No
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11.
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Do you now belong to, or have you ever served in, His Majesty's army, the Marines, the Militia, the Militia,
Reserve, the Territorial Force, Royal Navy or Colonial Forces? If so, state which, and if not now serving,
state cause of discharge.
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11.
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No
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12.
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Have you stated the whole, if any, of your previous service?
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12.
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—
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13.
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Have you ever been rejected as unfit for His Majesty's Service? If so, on what grounds?
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13.
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No
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14.
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(For married men, widowers with children, and soldier who are the sole support of widowed mother) -
Do you understand that no separation allowance will be issue in respect of your service beyond an amount which
together with pay would reach eight shillings [$A0.80¢] per day?
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14.
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Yes
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15.
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Are you prepared to undergo innoculations against small pox and enteric fever?
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15.
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Yes
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I, Edwin Samuel Davis do solemnly declare that the above
answers made by me to the above questions are true, and I am will and hereby voluntarily agree to serve in
the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia within or beyond the limits of the Commonwealth.
* And I further agree to allot not less than two fifths / three fifths of the pay payable to me
from time to time during my service for the support of my wife / wife and children.
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Date 9/ 7 / 15
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Signature of person enlisted
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* This clause should be struck out in the case of unmarried men or widowers without children
under 18 years of age
†Two-fifths must be allotted to the wife, and if there are children three-fifths must be allotted.
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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER
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The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence.
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I have taken care that he understands each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as
replied to by him.
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I have examined his naturalisation papers and am of opinion that they are correct.
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Date 9 /7 / 15
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Signature of Attesting Officer
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OATH TO BE TAKEN BY PERSON BEING ENLISTED
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I, Edwin Samuel Davis swear that I will well and truly serve
our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force from 20 Aug 1915 until the end of the War,
and a further period of four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed
therefrom; and that I will resist His Majesty's enemies and cause His Majesty's peaceto be kept and
maintained; and that I will in all matters appertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty
according to law.
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SO HELP ME GOD
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Signature of Person Enlisted
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Taken and subscribed at Melbourne in the State of
Victoria this Ninth
day of July 1915 before me :—
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Signature of Attesting Officer
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* A person enlisting who objects to taking an oath may make an afformation in accordance with the Third Schedule of the Act,
and the above form must be amended accordingly. All amendments must be initialed by the Attesting Officer.
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I have examined the above-named person and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz:—
Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence, defects of vision, voice or hearing; hernia; haemorhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendant testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease; chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment, or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C.; contracted or deformed chest abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.
He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description.
I CERTIFY that this attestation of the above-named person is correct and that the required forms
have been complied with. I according approve and appoint him to 10th Rein 5th Batt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Rank
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Description
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Date
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Remarks
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Private
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Enlisted
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9 Aug 1915
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Private
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Posted to 47th Depot Company Broadmeadows [for training]
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18 Jul 1915
to
1 Aug 1915
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Private
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Allotted to 10th Reinforcements to the 5th Infantry Battalion
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2 Aug 1915
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Private
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Embarked Melbourne aboard RMS OSTERLEY for Middle East
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29 Sep 1915
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Private
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Disembarked Middle East
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7 Jan 1916
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Approximately
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Private
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Taken on Strength of 5th Battalion
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7 Jan 1916
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Private
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Reallocated to and joined 57th Bn
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Private
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Transfered to and taken on strength of 59th Battalion
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15 Mar 1916
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Private
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Sick to Hospital, Duntroon Plateau
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29 Apr 1916
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Private
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To Ferry Post - Defence of Suez Canal
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12 May 1916
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April 1916 the 5th Australian Division, including the 59th Battalion was for a short while a part of the force allocated to the defence
of the Suez Canal.
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Private
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Wife, Mrs Catherine Davis submits a change of address from
37 Elm Street, Northcote, VIC to 59 Wellington Street, Richmond.
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20 May 1915
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Private
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Embarked at Alexandria to join BEF aboard HMS KINFAUNS CASTLE,
an armed merchant cruiser.
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18 Jun 1916
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Private
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Disembarked at Marseilles
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29 Jun 1916
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Private
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Wounded in action (WIA) on the first day of the battle of Fromelles, shell shock.
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19 Jul 1916
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The AIF was committed almost immediately, and the 19th Brigade, including the 59th Battalion
suffered heavy casualties in the battle of Fromelles. Despite this they remained in the front line for a further
two months.
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Private
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Admitted to
8 ACCS.
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20 Jul 1916
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|
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Private
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Transferred to 1st Convalescent Depot, Boulogne
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21 Jul 1916
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Private
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Transferred to Base Details 5 ADBD, Etaples
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31 Jul 1916
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Private
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Marched in to 5 ADBD
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1 Aug 1916
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Private
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Form letter from Base Records Office, Melbourne, VIC to Mrs C Davis, 97 O'Shannasey St., NORTH MELBOURNE (VIC)
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
Dear Madam, I regret to advise you that Pte. E.S. Davis, 59th Battalion has been reported wounded.
It is not stated as being serious, and in the even of further information coming to hand, you will be
promptly notified.
In the absence of further reports it is to be assumed that all wounded are now progressing satisfactorily.
It should be clearly understood that if no further advice is received this Department has no further information to give.
Yours faithfully
J.M.LEAN.
Major,
Officer i/c Base Records
|
5 Aug 1916
|
The fact that it took so long to make an initial report gives some indication of the extent of the
death and wounds of Australians in the Somme offensive.
His wounding is described a 'mild', yet it was more than a year before he was able to return to his unit.
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Private
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Wife, Catherine Davis submits change of address from 97 O'Shannessy Street,
North Melbourne to 38 Elm St., Northcote.
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16 Aug 1916
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Private
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Form letter from Base Records Office, Melbourne, VIC to Mrs C Davis, 97 O'Shannasey St., NORTH MELBOURNE (VIC)
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
Dear Madam, now beg to advise your that information has been received to the effect that Pte. E.S. Davis,
59th (late 5th) Btn, is now in the 5th Stationary Hospital, Frane, 20.7.16 suffering from SHELL SHOCK (mild)
and his address will therefore be:—
3099, Private E.S. Davis,
"WOUNDED" 59th (late 5th) Australian Infantry
C/o Australian Imperial Force Headquarters
130 Horseferry Road,
Westminster, LONDON, SW
Any further particulars coming to hand will be promptly transmitted.
Yours faithfully
J.M.LEAN.
Major,
Officer i/c Base Records
|
11 Aug 1916
|
|
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Private
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To Hospital, sick
Admitted to 26 Gen Hosp
Condition/diagnosis NYD Lung
|
18 Aug 1916
|
|
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Private
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Transferred to 6 Conv Depot, debility, Etaples
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27 Aug 1916
|
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Private
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Admitted to 8th Conv Depot
Transferred to 5th Conv Depot
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2 Sep 1916
|
|
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Private
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Admitted to 5th Conv Depot, debility
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2 Sep 1916
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Private
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Discharged to Base Depot
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28 Sep 1916
|
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Private
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Marched in to 5th Aust Div Base Depot from 5th Conv Depot
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28 Sep 1916
|
|
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Private
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Marched out to 2 AGH, with draft PB* men.
|
25 Nov 1916
|
* Unable to identify the abbreviation 'PB'. Suspect it is 'Permanent Base', those men who are not suffiently fit to
return to their unit, but can be employed in useful roles in a base environment such as a hospital. He did in fact
return to his unit in August 1917.
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Private
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Attached to 2 AGH, Wimmereux for duty
|
25 Nov 1916
|
|
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Private
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Admitted 2 AGH, bronchitis
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28 Apr 1917
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Private
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Discharged to duty
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8 May 1917
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Private
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Marched in to 5 ADBD ex detachment
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7 Jun 1917
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Private
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Submits change of address form for NOK wife Catherine Davis to 38 Elm St, Northcote, VIC
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3 Jul 1917
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Private
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Rejoined Unit, ex detachment, from 5 ADBD
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2 Aug 1917
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Private
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To furlough in UK
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27 Aug 1917
|
|
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Private
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Rejoined unit from furlough
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9 Sep 1917
|
|
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Private
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Wounded in Action, 2nd occasion, contusions
|
26 Sep 1917
|
|
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Private
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Admitted to 8 AFA, contusions
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26 Sep 1917
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Private
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Transferred and admitted to DRS, contusions
|
26 Sep 1917
|
The DRS enabled those with minor wounds to rest and recover before being returned to their unit.
See my remarks in the Introduction concerning blast injuries.
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Private
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Rejoined unit ex wounded
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29 Sep 1917
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Private
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Red Cross Report notes that Davis was wounded and discharged to duty from 6th Field Ambulance unit
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29 Sep 1917
|
Red Cross Report contains no reference to his wounding on the first occasion.
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Private
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Form letter from Base Records Office, Melbourne, VIC to Mrs C Davis,
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
Dear Madam, I now beg to advise you that Pte. E.S. Davis, has been reported wounded, second occasion.
His Postal Address will be:—
No. 3099 Private E. S. Davis,
59th Battalion,
Australian Imperial Force, Abroad
In the absence of further reports it is to be assumed that satisfactory progress is being maintained, but anything
later received will be promptly transmitted, it being clearly understood that if no further advice is forwarded
this department has no further information to supply.
Yours faithfully
J.M.LEAN.
Major,
Officer i/c Base Records
|
19 Oct 1917
|
|
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Private
|
Annie A. Kearney writes:
20 John St
Collingwood
November 14th 17
Officer in Charge
Base Records Enquiry Office
Dear Sir,
I[n] the last [inserted No 351st] Casualty list published appeared the name of Private E.S. Davis.
Would you kindly find out for me if this soldier is my friend
No. 3079 [sic]
C Company: 59th Battalion.
Yours etc.
Annie A. Kearney
Stamped adressed envelope enclosed for reply AAK
|
14 Nov 1917
|
|
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Private
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Reply from Base Records Office to Annie Kearney
Dear Madam,
In reply to your letter of the 14th instant, I have to state a cable message was received last month
advising that N. 3099 Private E. S. Davis, 59th Battalion, is wounded, and his wife has been notified
accordingly.
No details of the casualty are available, but his case is not specified as serious.
Letters addressed as under should be forwarded to where he is located:—
No. 3099 Private E. S. Davis,
59th Battalion,
Australian Imperial Force, Abroad.
Yours faithfully,
Major
Officer i/c Base Records
|
21 Nov 1917
|
|
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Private
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Detached to 184 Imp Tunnel Coy for duty.
|
19 Feb 1918
|
Preparation for the Spring Offensive.
|
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Private
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Rejoined unit ex detachment
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24 Mar 1918
|
|
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Private
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Wounded in Action, 3rd occasion, Died of Wounds (DOW)
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25 Apr 1918
|
|
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Private
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Graves Registration Committee[?] reports "Buried by Rev FC Breiner attd 59th Bn
near Villers Brettoneux Sht 62D O 28 D 17".
|
20 May 1918
|
The burial would have taken place on the date of death and no later than the day after.
The sheet number is most probably a detailed map of portion of the battlefield, while "O" and "D" can be assumed
to be "Over" and "Down" respectively, giving the precise location of the grave on the map grid. See also the evidence of
Gunner Knight that he was buried outside the 59th Casualty Clearing Station.
|
|
Private
|
Lieutenant reports that the Casualty Form in his record is the original, while "Copies forwarded to Defence Melbne,
Chief Paymaster & Admin Hdqrs on 30/5/18"
|
30 May 1918
|
|
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Private
|
Witness 30390 Gunner Thomas Knight, 5th Machine Gun Company AIF reports that
"This man was buried in the Cemetry [sic] of Elissy, outside of 59 Casualty
Clearing Station just of [sic] Dehors. There is a fully decorated cross on
his grave."
|
Undated
|
Report in Red Cross file which also identifies Davis as belonging to the 5th Battalion when in fact he was in the 59th Battalion.
|
|
Private
|
3372 Pte N.R. Casey, 58th Battalion reports "I saw him being carried away on a stretcher
at Vaux de Domme on the Canal. He had been hit in the stomach. He called out 'Goodbye'
to us as he passed. He was a Corpl. of a MG Sect. in my Coy. He was buried all right
but I did not see his burial. I did not know him very well but remember he was short,
fair, and about 22 or 23."
|
22 Aug 18
|
Red Cross report conflicts with known facts in that his hair was black and he was 35 on enlistment.
|
|
Private
|
3540 Pte G. Scanlon, 58th Battalion reports "I knew a Davis a Corporal in C. Company. It know he
understood French as he translated a letter for me four days before he was killed. He was about 5
feet 6, well built, dark, clean-shaven; had a name for being a very plucky man. We were holding the
line in front of Hamel when I saw him hit by a MG. bullet in the body very badly. L/Corporal Greenslade
C. Company picked him up first & helped him on a Stretcher; that is the last I saw of him."
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12 Sep 1918
|
Red Cross report conflicts with known facts in that Davis was four inches shorter than reported.
|
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Private
|
3450 Pte Gerald Scanton, 55 Battn. C Coy. 9 Pltn. reports "Davis was shot through the stomach
by a M.gun bullet when the Battn. was holding the line in front of Hamel in April last.
I was about 30 yds. off and saw him fall. L/Cpl Greenslade went to his assistance. He
was taken to the dressing station and that was the last I saw of him. I heard afterwards
that he had died but cannot say where he was buried. He was a Cpl., and had a fair
knowledge of Frnch. Ground was held. L/Cpl Greenslade, C Coy. 58th Bttn. can give full
information." Eye-witness - Yes.
|
1 Oct 1918
|
Davis again described as a Corporal with a knowledge of French.
|
|
Private
|
Two certified copies of the Will of Edwin Samuel DAVIS leaves his entire estate to Mrs
Catherine Davis, 37 Elm Stret, Northcote, Vic.
|
19 Sep 1917
|
|
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Private
|
Inventory of the Effects of &mdash No. 3099 Davis, E.S. 59th Btn A.I.F.
Forwarded to — Legatee: —
Mrs Catherine Davis,
37 ELm St,
Northcote.
Victoria
Effects
Ex. 3rd Echelon France. (3/724) 29.5.18.
3 Wallets, 2 Mirrors, 2 Razers [sic], Letters, Photos, Writing pad, Cards.
Per "BARUNGA" 20.6.18.
In case 1227.
D/S 35360.
|
29 May 1918
|
|
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Private
|
Letter from Base Records Office to Mrs C. Davis, 59 Wellington St., RICHMOND, V.
Dear Madam,
I regret to inform you that a package containing personal effects of your husband, the late
No. 3099 Private E.S. Davis, 59th Battalion, was included in a consignment shipped from
Englnd per S.S. "Barunga", which vessel was lost at sea with all cargo, on its way to Australia,
as a result of enemy action.
Atached hereto is an inventory of the contents of the abovementioned package.
No hope can be entertained of the recovery of the articles so lost, but in the
event of any of the deceased's effects coming to hand at a later date, they will
be promptly transmitted to you.
Yours faithfully,
Major
Officer i/c Base Records
|
30 Jul 1919
|
|
|
Private
|
Undated list of exhumations includes :
59th Bn. 3099 DAVIS Pte S.S.[sic] 25/4/18
AIF ( Report Villers Bretonneux 110/18E).
|
Undated
|
|
|
Private
|
Undated list of Graves Registration Unit Exhumations includes:
59/AIF s; 3099 DAVIS Pte.E.S. 25.4.18.
(Report Villers Bretonneux 10.55/E/
Plot 3. Row M. Grave 18. 10.51/C)
|
Undated
|
|
|
Private
|
Note to Mrs C. Davies, 59 Wellington Street, Richmond, VICTORIA
Madam,
your [sic] husband the late No. 3099a Private E.S. Davies, 59th Battalion, is buried
in the Adelaide British Cemeterry, 2½ miles South of Corbie.
|
29 Jan 1920
|
|
|
Private
|
Undated report from Graves Registration Unit annotated in pencil noting that
the grave numbers in Adelaide have been realloted.
The grave of Edwin Samuel Davis in now to be found in Plot 3, Row M, Grave 6.
|
Undated
|
|
|
Private
|
Letter from mother, Mrs Davis to Officer in Charge, Base Records Office.
Dear Sir,
I send a few lines to ask if you have got the photographs of my sons's grave.
I had a letter in February 1919 from [illegible] saying that the photo of my son's
grave would be sent to the Defence department [sic] for it to be sent to me. So I
[illegible] if would send a line to see if you had it there yet. Hopefully you will
send one as soon as you can.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Davis
Private E. S. Davis
No 3099A
59 Battalion
A.I.F.
|
12 May 1920
|
|
|
Private
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Letter from Base Records Office to Davis' mother, Mrs Davis 18 William Street, Abbotsford, VIC
Dear Madam,
With reference to your communication of 12th May, I have to state three photographs
of the grave of your son, the late No. 3099 Private E.S. Davis, 59th Battalion were
forwarded on 13/12/19 to next-of-kin (wife).
Additional copies will be supplied upon payment of 3d.* per copy, and requests for same
accompanied by remittance, should be addressed to the Officer in Charge, Base Records
Office, Victoria Barracks Melbourne, by whom they will be transmitted to the London
authorities.
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21 May 1920
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* 3d is threepence or 3 pennies,
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Private
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Record annotated with the fact that a Memorial Scroll was issued to the widow Mrs C. Davis on 15 Sep 1920
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15 Sep 1920
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Private
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Record annotated with the fact that "Where Australians Rest" was forwarded to Mrs C. Davis
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20 Dec 1920
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"Where the Australians Rest" was a booklet published in 1920 by the Department of Defence and
presented to the next-od-kin of Australian Servicemen who died on active service during World
War One. It was edited by Charles Bean and illustrated by John C. Goodchild.
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Private
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Receipt for the 1914-15 Star awarded to Pte Edwin Davis.
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31 Aug 1920
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Signed Catherine Davis but annotated with the information that Mrs C. Davis is now Mrs C. Norton
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Private
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Note from Officer in Charge, Base Records, advising of the grave location
Dear Madam,
With reference to the report of the regrettable loss of your husband, the late NO. 3099A,
Private E.S. Davis, 59th Battalion, I am now in receipt of advice which shows that the
late soldier is buried in Grave No 18, plot 3, row M of the Adelaide Cemetery, Villers
Bretonneux, 2½ miles south of Corbie.
These additional details are furnished by direction, it being the policy of the Department
to foward all information received in connection with the deaths of members of the
Australian Imperial Force.
Yours faithfully,
Major
Officer i/c Base Records
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15 Jun 1922
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Both the original and a flimsy (copy) of this note are in the file.
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Private
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A misfiled, blank notification of a soldier returning home.
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Undated
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Private
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Letter to mother, Mrs Davis, 18 William St,m ABBOTSFORD, VIC from Base Records Office
Dear Madam,
At the request of the Imperial War Grave Commission I am forwarding herewith a
circular order form relative to the purchase of copies of the register of the
Adelaide cemetery, France, wherein the remains of your son, the late No. 3099 Pte.
E.S.Davis, 596h Btn, are interred.
Should you desire to obtain one or more copies of this register, kindly complete the
enclosed application form and return same direct to The Receiver of Public Moneys,
Department of Defence, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, accompanied by remittance
(Postal Note) to the value of 3/- per copy required. Prompt attention will be give to
orders received in this connection, and the registers will be forwarded post free to
applicants without delay.
If you are aware of the present whereabouts of your son's widow, I should be glad if
you would inform her regarding the sale of the abovementioned registers, and I should
be obliged if you could furnish me with her address in order that the war medals. etc.
issuable on account of the late soldier's services might be forwarded to her.
Yours faithfully,
Captain
Officer i/c Base Records
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8 Apr 1925
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Use the hyperlinks or scroll down to see further information on the badges.
UNIT SHOULDER PATCH
59TH INFANTRY BATTALION
NOT ENTITLED TO WEAR ANZAC 'A'
The 59th Battalion was raised in Egypt on 21 February 1916 as part of the expansion of the AIF. Approximately half of
its recruits came from the veteran 7th Battalion, and the other half were fresh reinforcements from Australia.
Reflecting the composition of the 7th, the 59th was predominantly composed of men from rural Victoria. The battalion
became part of the 15th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division.
On 19 July 1916, the 59th became embroiled in its first major battle on the Western Front, less than a month after it
arrived in France. The battle of Fromelles was a disaster for the 59th. Attacking in the first wave, the 59th suffered
heavy casualties at the hands of German machine-gunners, and its advance faltered far short of its objective. Despite
grievous losses, the units of the 5th Division manned the front line around Fromelles for a further two months.
The 59th spent the winter of 1916-17 rotating in and out of the front line. In March 1917 the battalion participated in
the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, but was spared having to assault it. It did, however,
defend gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt. Later in the year, the AIF's focus of operations switched to
the Ypres sector in Belgium. The 59th's major battle there was at Polygon Wood on 26 September.
With the collapse of Russia in October 1917, a major German offensive on the Western Front was expected in early 1918.
This came in late March and the 5th Division moved to defend the sector around Corbie. During this defence, the 59th
Battalion participated in the now legendary counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April.
When the Allies launched their own offensive around Amiens on 8 August 1918, the 59th Battalion was amongst the units in
action, although its role in the subsequent advance was limited. The battalion fought around Peronne in the first days of
September and entered its last battle of the war on the 29th. This operation was mounted by the 5th and 3rd Australian
Divisions, in co-operation with American forces, to break through the formidable German defences along the St Quentin Canal.
The battalion withdrew to rest on 2 October and was still doing so when the war ended. The 59th Battalion disbanded on
24 March '1919.
Albert 1918, Amiens, Avre, Bullecourt, Egypt 16, France and Flanders 1916-18, Hindenburg Line, Menin Road, Mont St Quentin,
Passchendaele, Poelcappelle, Polygon Wood, Somme 1916-18, St Quentin Canal, Villers Brettoneux, Ypres 1917
The decoration consists of a four-pointed star in bright bronze as shown, with the date 1914-15 on the central scroll.
The reverse is plain, and is stamped with the name and unit of the recipient.
The ribbon is red, white and blue, shaded and watered, worn with the red nearest the centre of the breast.
It is atached to the medal through a ring.
It is similar in shape and description to the 1914 Star, to which few, if any, Australians were entitled. Those entitled were those who had already served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) in the operations to capture German New Guinea in 1914.
The decoration, sanctioned in 1918, was issued "to all officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of
the British, Dominion, Colonial and Indian Forces, including civilian medical practitioners, nursing sisters, nurses
and others eployed with military hospitals, who actually served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war as
defined in Appendix 'A'. Individuals in possession of the 1914 Star will not be eligible for the award of this
decoration."
Appendix 'A' included the Western, Eastern, Egyptian, African, Asiatic and Australasian Theatres of war,
with commencement dates individual to countries and campaigns.
This version of the Rising Sun Badge was worn by soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Forces, and the badge
has become an integral part of the Digger tradition.
Worn on the the upturned brim of the slouch hat, it is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
There are a number of versions of the genesis of the badge, the most widely accepted being that it derived from a Trophy
of Arms - various swords and bayonets mounted on a semi-circular display in Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.
The original version worn in South Africa was modified in 1904 and worn by Australian soldiers through two World Wars.
Later changes were made to the style of the crown and the wording on the scroll. The "King's Crown" is the one shown to
the left, while arches of the "Queen's Crown" rise at the same angle as the base of the crown, curve at their highest point
to a level mid-way on the orb below the cross and then down to below the orb.
In 1949 the scroll was changed to read "Australian Military Forces".
In 1969 the badge was modified to incorporate the 7-pointed Federation Star with a central Queen's crown over the Torse
Wreath (a twisted roll of fabric) from the original 1902 version, and the scroll wording changed to "Australia".
In the 75th anniversary year of the the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli, there was a drive to return to traditional accoutrements
worn by Australian soldiers during the World Wars, which clearly identify the Australian Army. The Queen's crown returned to its
central position and the scroll now reads "The Australian Army'.
