HARRY HALL DAVIS d 26th June 1918

Missed the actual anniversary of his death but I fell it appropriate to remember him.

He was a Private in the Army Service Corps. The memorial in Chacombe Parish Church records that he died in France on June 26th1918.


We know from his service record that he served with 814th Mechanical Transport Company, joining them on 3 August 1916. He was sent to France on 22 October 1916 remaining there until he died, in No 14 General Hospital, in Wimille. He is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Departement du Pas-de-Calais. (Plot I. B. 35). His medical records show he was admitted into hospital on 20th June 1918 suffering from bronchial pneumonia (attributed to military service). He died on 26th June 1918



He was born in Kirtlington in 1886. The 1901 census shows him, aged 15, as a wheelwright and Blacksmith. In March 1908 he was married in Lewisham, Kent. His occupation is given as a “Milk Carrier”. The first of his four daughters was born in August 1908. The family lived at 13 Cibber Road, Forest Hill.


His service number (DM2/190627) indicates he was a driver, it is quite possible that his earlier experiences as a Blacksmith were considered a suitable background for a military driver.


His father (Jonathon) was the traditional village blacksmith in Chacombe. After his first wife died in 1900, he married in 1903 widowed Lavinia Tyrell (nee Watts) from Wardington. A year later their daughter Corrina was born; her place of birth is given as Chacombe. 


Harry’s father Jonathon, died in Wardington, aged 74. It is presumably his father who arranged for his son to be commemorated in Chacombe.