Thomas's Story.
St. Mary's Weaverham “Roll of Honour” records 3 lads named Davis; Davis T. (Thomas “Fallen”) A Thomas Davis is listed on Weaverham “Fallen” Memorial.
Davis P. (Percy) (Cheshirebmd records Percy Davis born in Weaverham in 1899.)
Davis W. (William) (Cheshirebmd records William Davies born in Weaverham in 1896.)
(See separate sheet for lads named Davies.)
B. M. & Co.; do not list any lads named Davis at the Winnington Works but as these lads seem to mix their names, Davis/Davies so they may have worked at B. M. &Co., as per Percy.
The odd think about the 1901 census for this family has the surname starting as Davies then changed to Davis (without the “E”) for the last three children.
Thomas (Davis/Davies)
The 1911 census has a Davis family living at 4 Railway Cottages, Hodge Lane, Hartford.
Henry Head, age 42, Platelayer, Worcestershire Born C1869
Fanny Wife, age 43, Worcestershire
William Son, age 14, Servant Domestic, Hartford Born c1897
Percy Son, age 11, School, Hartford
Nellie Daughter, age 9, School, Hartford
Arthur, Son, age 7, School, Hartford
Lily Daughter, age 3, Weaverham.
The 1911 census also records that Henry/Fanny have had 12 children of which 8 are living.
The 1911 census also records that Henry/Fanny have had 12 children of which 8 are living.
Looking at the 1901 census we find the family, including Thomas, living on Chester Road, Hartford.
Henry Head, age 32, Platelayer, born Worcestershire.
Fanny Wife, age 33, Worcestershire
Alfred T(Thomas) Son, age 10, Eccleshall Staff. Born c1891.
Thomas Son, age 8, Sandon Staff.
Ethel Daughter, age 6, Hartford
William Son, age 4, Hartford
Percy Son, age 1, Hartford
The 1901 census records 5 children plus the three additional children recorded in the 1911 census confirms the eight living children.
The links for Thomas have him with the 1st/6th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, No 35085 “Fallen” 20/9/1917. The links also had connections to some service documents. One of which has Thomas’s personal belongs being returned to his father Henry Davis at the Railway Cottages, Hodge Lane.
Guardian Article 19th Oct. 1917, P5/C1; ROLL OF HONOUR, KILLED, PRIVATE THOMAS DAVIES HARTFORD. PATRIOTIC FAMILY’S RECORD.
Mr. and Mrs H. Davies of the Railway Cottages Hodge Lane, Hartford, have been informed that their son, Private Thomas Davies aged 24 of the Cheshire Regiment was killed on September 20th. Formerly a chauffeur to Mr. Birch of Weaverham, he joined the Army a couple of years ago. A few months after being drafted he was wounded and sent to England where he spent four months in hospital. Meanwhile his father who is an old employee of the L. & N. W. Railway Company had volunteered for three months special railway duty abroad and as the son was going back to the trenches after recovering from his wounds he and his father met quite accidental. A brother, Private William Davies is on active service with the Machine Gun Corps. Another brother Sergeant Alfred Davies, who is married, was badly wounded in the feet some time ago and is now engaged on work of national importance in Scotland. Before enlisting these two brothers were employed as footman and butler respectively to Lord and Lady Glasgow. A younger brother Percy Davies is in training with the Cheshire Regiment. This article states 5 members of this family served in WW1, father Henry on special railway duties, Thomas who was killed, William, Machine Gun Corps., Alfred, Sergeant in Scotland and Percy, training with the Cheshires.
N.A.M.C. have over 23,000 medal cards for lads named Davies and over 10,000 medal cards for lads named Davis. From the information above the surname changes from Davis to Davies so it will be very difficult to confirm who is who, but there are two medal cards for Thomas Davis, Pte. The first card records British and Victory medals awarded, Theatre of War and Date of Entry not addressed. The second card just looks the same as the first card.
C.W.G.C. remember Davis (spelt Davis) Thomas at TYNE COT MEMORIAL. Thomas was with the 1st/6th Bn., Cheshire Regiment, No 35085, Pte. died 20th Sept. 1917. (Unfortunately there are no family details.)
A Thomas Davis is remembered on the Hartford WW1 Memorial.
Research Bob Heaton