Gilbert Edward's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Gilbert Edward Davies was born on 29th November 1891 and baptised on 31st January 1892 at St Philip's Church, Chorley (Alderley Edge), the eldest son of Mary Ann and John Davies, a joiner of 21 Chapel Street, Alderley Edge. In 1901, nine year old Gilbert was living in Chapel Street with his parents and siblings Edith (13), Mary (12), Albert (6), Ethel (3) and Harold (1). Ten years later the family was at the same address and also included Gladys (9) and Hilda (7).
Gilbert was educated at Alderley Edge Primary School and was a member of the Church Lads' Brigade, belonged to the St Philips Sunday School Band, and was a keen footballer. When Gilbert left school on 1st December 1905 he found work as an apprentice joiner for Mr Massey.
Towards the end of 1912, Gilbert married Edith Lomas; their daughter, Eileen, was born in 1914. Their son, also named Gilbert Edward, was born in early 1916, some two and a half months after Gilbert's death.
WW1 SERVICE
Gilbert joined the 7th Cheshire Regiment (Territorial Army) in 1911 and was either recalled to the army or volunteered in October 1914. Following a period of training in the south of England, the 7th Cheshires, as part of 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, received orders to equip for service in an undisclosed location in the Mediterranean. In July 1915 they sailed from Devonport to Alexandria in Egypt, then on to the island of Lemnos on the 4th August.
On the evening of 8th August, the Battalion arrived off the coast of Gallipoli and the following day landed at “C” Beach, Suvla Bay. The Batallion was involved in heavy fighting in Gallipoli for several months.
It is not known when Gilbert was injured, but he died of his wounds at the 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance Station at Suvla Bay on 1st December 1915, aged 24. His death was announced in the Alderley and Wilmslow Advertiser on 10 December 1915, on pages 2 and 6:
DAVIES - Died from wounds received in Gallipoli on December 1st, Private GILBERT EDWARD DAVIES, 2781, 7th Cheshire Regiment, of Alderley Edge, aged 24 years.
ALDERLEY EDGE SOLDIER KILLED
Notification has been received from the War Office of the detah of Private Gilbert Edward Davies, of the 7th Cheshire Regiment, who resided in Alderley Edge. Death took place on December 1st from wounds received in Gallipol. Deceased, who was formerly a joiner employed by Mr Massey, enlisted in October 1914. He was an old member of the Church Lads' Brigade, belonged to the Church Band, and was an enthusiastic footballer. He was 24 years of age and leaves a widow and one child...
His widow Edith and one child received £3 10 shillings War Gratuity.
COMMEMORATION
Private Gilbert Davies has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 76 to 78.
Locally, Private Gilbert Davies is commemorated on the Alderley Edge war memorial.
NOTES
Brother of Albert Vincent Davies, who also served with the 7th Cheshire Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Esme, granddaughter of Gilbert Davies, for her photographs and assistance in compiling this information.
The Cheshire Roll of Honour would like to thank H.A.G. Carlisle for this information on Gilbert.
Further research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Gilbert Edward Davies was born on 29th November 1891 and baptised on 31st January 1892 at St Philip's Church, Chorley (Alderley Edge), the eldest son of Mary Ann and John Davies, a joiner of 21 Chapel Street, Alderley Edge. In 1901, nine year old Gilbert was living in Chapel Street with his parents and siblings Edith (13), Mary (12), Albert (6), Ethel (3) and Harold (1). Ten years later the family was at the same address and also included Gladys (9) and Hilda (7).
Gilbert was educated at Alderley Edge Primary School and was a member of the Church Lads' Brigade, belonged to the St Philips Sunday School Band, and was a keen footballer. When Gilbert left school on 1st December 1905 he found work as an apprentice joiner for Mr Massey.
Towards the end of 1912, Gilbert married Edith Lomas; their daughter, Eileen, was born in 1914. Their son, also named Gilbert Edward, was born in early 1916, some two and a half months after Gilbert's death.
WW1 SERVICE
Gilbert joined the 7th Cheshire Regiment (Territorial Army) in 1911 and was either recalled to the army or volunteered in October 1914. Following a period of training in the south of England, the 7th Cheshires, as part of 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, received orders to equip for service in an undisclosed location in the Mediterranean. In July 1915 they sailed from Devonport to Alexandria in Egypt, then on to the island of Lemnos on the 4th August.
On the evening of 8th August, the Battalion arrived off the coast of Gallipoli and the following day landed at “C” Beach, Suvla Bay. The Batallion was involved in heavy fighting in Gallipoli for several months.
It is not known when Gilbert was injured, but he died of his wounds at the 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance Station at Suvla Bay on 1st December 1915, aged 24. His death was announced in the Alderley and Wilmslow Advertiser on 10 December 1915, on pages 2 and 6:
DAVIES - Died from wounds received in Gallipoli on December 1st, Private GILBERT EDWARD DAVIES, 2781, 7th Cheshire Regiment, of Alderley Edge, aged 24 years.
ALDERLEY EDGE SOLDIER KILLED
Notification has been received from the War Office of the detah of Private Gilbert Edward Davies, of the 7th Cheshire Regiment, who resided in Alderley Edge. Death took place on December 1st from wounds received in Gallipol. Deceased, who was formerly a joiner employed by Mr Massey, enlisted in October 1914. He was an old member of the Church Lads' Brigade, belonged to the Church Band, and was an enthusiastic footballer. He was 24 years of age and leaves a widow and one child...
His widow Edith and one child received £3 10 shillings War Gratuity.
COMMEMORATION
Private Gilbert Davies has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, Panel 76 to 78.
Locally, Private Gilbert Davies is commemorated on the Alderley Edge war memorial.
NOTES
Brother of Albert Vincent Davies, who also served with the 7th Cheshire Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Esme, granddaughter of Gilbert Davies, for her photographs and assistance in compiling this information.
The Cheshire Roll of Honour would like to thank H.A.G. Carlisle for this information on Gilbert.
Further research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.