Skip to main content

Anzac Profile

Pte Walter Herbert Davis SN 5862. Image reproduced with permission from Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire (Facsimile Edition 2014) Hesperian Press 2014
  • Anzac Walk Home
  • Educational Interest

Davis,

Walter Herbert

Private. 11th Bn. SN 5862. KIA Hermes 10.4.1917. Age 38 years

‘Wootacarra’ Victoria Street, Guildford, WA (wife). and 34 Market Street and 4 Stirling Street, Guildford, WA (Mother)

Date Enlisted 28/02/1916
Service Number SN 5862
Age of Enlistment 37 years 1 month
Place of Enlistment Perth, WA
Place of Birth Geraldton, WA
Previous Military Experience 8 years Infantry Geraldton, 2 ½ years 14th Bn. AFA
Occupation Ledger Keeper
Marital Status Married
Religion Church of England
School Attended Guildford State School
Address History 'Wootacarra', Victoria Street, Guildford, WA. Market Street, Guildford, WA. 4 Stirling Street, Guildford, WA
Cause of Death or Invalided
KIA (Killed in Action)

Military History


Embarked per HMAT ‘Suevic’ to England 6.6.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 18th Reinf. 11th Bn. AIF.
Davis disembarked at Plymouth with the 18th Reinf. of the 11th Bn. 21.7.1916. He marched into Perham Downs with 3rd Training Coy. After a few months of training, he proceeded overseas to France 5.9.1916. He fought on the Somme in the harsh winter of 1916-17. Davis was hospitalised 29.1.1917 with hepatitis and discharged 13.2.1917. He was struck off strength, however, rejoined his Bn. 13.3.1917. Davis was KIA 10.4.191 during the advance against the retreating German Army, in what became known as the Third Battle of Ypres. His remains were not recovered. He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial M.R.26. Part 11- C-.F.
Final Rank Private 11th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Dec’d, KIA.
Awards and Medals
British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Davis’ wife Janie was the daughter of William George Johnson of Johnson St. Guildford (WM 10.8.1917) Janie Davis was hospitalized at Claremont Home for the Insane in 1922. His War Medals held by Official Trustees ‘until wife s recovery or the children are old enough to receive it’. His wife died 23.7.1918.
His Mother lost 3 sons in WW1 also Reginald and Frederick. Gilbert survived. Their younger sister Judy Davis became a famous actresss in Hollywood.

Photo Pte Walter Herbert Davis SN 5862. Image reproduced with permission from Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire (Facsimile Edition) Hesperian Press 2014
           Davis brothers. . Image reproduced with permission from Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire (Facsimile Edition) Hesperian Press 2014
           HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03216
           Winter on the Somme near Albert. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00166
           Road to Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, Photograph source AWM E00827
           Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
Ashworth & Palmer, Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empirer 1914-18.  Facsimile Edition 2014. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press
AWM A03216. HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E00166. Winter on the Somme near Albert. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  E00827. Road to Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Walter Herbert Davis
AWM Roll of Honour- Walter Herbert Davis
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Legislative Council Electoral Rolls 1914. Governement Printers WA. 1914
St Matthew’s Church Honour Roll
St Matthew’s Church Honour Roll –Fallen
NAA: B2455, Davis W H
Western Mail
Wise H and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA



‘Wootacarra’ Victoria Street, Guildford. WA. (wife)
Market Street and 4 Stirling Street, Guildford. WA. (Mother)

 

Associated Images

Davis brothers and brother-in law Longson, Charles. Photograph reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014 p82
Davis brothers L to R - Walter, Reginald, Gilbert, Frederick and brother-in-law Charles Longson.Photograph reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014 p82
HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03216
HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03216
     Winter on the Somme near Albert. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00166
Winter on the Somme near Albert. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00166
Road to Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, Photograph source AWM E00827
Road to Ypres 1917. Photographer unknown, Photograph source AWM E00827
Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454
Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454