L/Cpl
Leonard Sidney Claudian Davison
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Pelton, Durham, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Coal miner |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 21816 |
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Enlistment date: 30/08/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Shiney Row, Durham, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Durham Light Infantry, 15th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 05/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Veldhoek, Geluveld, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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New Irish Farm Cemetery Plot: XXXIII Row: B Grave: 18 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal — 17/10/1919 |
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British War Medal Medal — 22/04/1920 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 22/04/1920 |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Lance Corporal Davison Leonard Sidney Claudian served in the British 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, part of the 64th Brigade of the 21st Division. This Division participated in the Battle of Broodseinde, a phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. The objective of the 21st Division was the hamlet of Reutel.
The 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry took over the line during the night of October 2 and October 3. They were dug in south-east of Glencorse Wood, when they got hit by German heavy artillery fire. Casualties were so heavy that the Battalion was reduced to only two companies. The Battalion was replaced by a battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the frontline.
During the attack on October 4, the 15th was called in with “A” and ”B” company (Lance Corporal Davison fought in “A” Company) to consolidate the recently captured Joist Farm and help with the defense of the right flank of the 64th Brigade because the 5th Division to the right of the 21st was held back in their advance. They dug in facing south and south-east direction along the north edge of Cameron Covert. After repelling a first German counterattack, a second and larger counterattack with support of heavy machine gun fire from Polderhoek Chateau was held at bay. In the evening they reconnected with the 5th Division and the rest of the 15th Battalion joined their position.
In the morning of October 5, the 15th attacked an enemy blockhouse in Cameron Covert, which led to an immediate surrender of the German troops in the blockhouse. During this attack a small group of about 20 men was sent up with ammunition to the front of the advance. They stayed here with the East Yorkshire Regiment of the 62nd Brigade until the relieve.
During the day, German artillery was heavily and continuous and preluded a counterattack in which the commanding officer, Colonel Falvey-Beyts, was killed. During the night, the 15th was relieved and reached their resting place in the morning of October 6.
Lance Corporal Davison was initially buried at a crossroads near Northampton Farm. There was probably a first aid station at the crossroads to where he was evacuated after he was injured. He succumbed to his wounds on October 5 1917. After the war he was reburied at New Irish Farm Cemetery on April 8 1921.
The 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry took over the line during the night of October 2 and October 3. They were dug in south-east of Glencorse Wood, when they got hit by German heavy artillery fire. Casualties were so heavy that the Battalion was reduced to only two companies. The Battalion was replaced by a battalion of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the frontline.
During the attack on October 4, the 15th was called in with “A” and ”B” company (Lance Corporal Davison fought in “A” Company) to consolidate the recently captured Joist Farm and help with the defense of the right flank of the 64th Brigade because the 5th Division to the right of the 21st was held back in their advance. They dug in facing south and south-east direction along the north edge of Cameron Covert. After repelling a first German counterattack, a second and larger counterattack with support of heavy machine gun fire from Polderhoek Chateau was held at bay. In the evening they reconnected with the 5th Division and the rest of the 15th Battalion joined their position.
In the morning of October 5, the 15th attacked an enemy blockhouse in Cameron Covert, which led to an immediate surrender of the German troops in the blockhouse. During this attack a small group of about 20 men was sent up with ammunition to the front of the advance. They stayed here with the East Yorkshire Regiment of the 62nd Brigade until the relieve.
During the day, German artillery was heavily and continuous and preluded a counterattack in which the commanding officer, Colonel Falvey-Beyts, was killed. During the night, the 15th was relieved and reached their resting place in the morning of October 6.
Lance Corporal Davison was initially buried at a crossroads near Northampton Farm. There was probably a first aid station at the crossroads to where he was evacuated after he was injured. He succumbed to his wounds on October 5 1917. After the war he was reburied at New Irish Farm Cemetery on April 8 1921.
Sources 3
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15 Battalion Durham Light Infantry , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2161/1). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Further reference |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 98-103. Sources used |
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Miles W., The Durham Forces in the Field 1914-1918, (London, Cassell & Co., 1920), pg. 190-192. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/452211 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=7443fba4-48d0-497a-9e73-a520ee73ce94 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1141817 |