Name
Harry Philip Davies
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/7752
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY
Enclosure No.2 VI. A. 45.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
St Francis of Assisi Memorial, Hammerfield,
St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Boxmoor,
Not on Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial
Pre War
Harry Philip Davies was born in 1881 in Islington, the son of Richard Davies, a carpenter, and Sarah (nee Chapman). On the 1891 Census, the family of parents, Harry Philip, Eleanor, and Rose were living at 64 Orpingley Road, Islington. They remained at the same address on the 1901 Census but there had been the addition of another daughter, Mary. Harry was working as an Engineer's Assistant.
He married Florence Maud Boost in Islington in 1905 and on the 1911 Census, they were living at 4 Middlesex Street, Finsbury Park with their three children, Rose Eleanor, Florence and Henry Richard. Harry was working as a Printer's Engineers Labourer.
They later lived at 30 Bedford Road, Holloway N London and had another child in 1913.
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted in Holloway and served with the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment in France from 2 May 1915 with 3rd Battalion.
Harry was with his battalion in position on Frezenberg Ridge during the 2nd Battle of Ypres. On 8 May 1915 6 German divisions attacked following a heavy bombardment and although the allied divisions repulsed two attacks the 28 Div (including 3rd Middx.) were overwhelmed. Harry died of his wounds on 8 May 1915. He was only in Belgium 3 days before he was killed.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £1 4s 7d. She also received a pension of £1 2s 6d a week from 20 December 1915.
The photograph of Harry is the only known photo of Harry Philip Davies with his parents and siblings
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Don Westwood
