2nd Lt
David James Davies
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 01/08/1897 |
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Place of birth: Speen, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Student |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Second Lieutenant |
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Service number: / |
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Enlistment date: 20/12/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Tank Corps, 3rd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 31/07/1917 |
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Place of death: Frost House, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 56N |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal — 07/03/1922 |
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Victory Medal Medal — 07/03/1922 |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
2nd Lieutenant David James Davies served as Commander of the Tank “Cyprus” in the Tank Corps, 3rd Battalion also known as “C” Battalion, part of the 3rd Tank Corps Brigade. The 3rd Brigade of the Tank Corps participated in the Battle of Pilckem (31 July – 2 August), the opening stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. It was to support the attack of the 15th Infantry Division, which was to capture the Frezenberg Heights, West of the village of Zonnebeke.
At 3.50 a.m. both men and Tanks moved forward behind a massive allied artillery barrage. The German front line fell at once and the going was fairly easy. Little resistance was encountered and the most difficult obstacle for the Tanks proved to be the marshy terrain. The more they advanced the worse the terrain. The ground was honey-combed with shell holes and the ground was sodden from the rainwater. Many Tanks got stuck in the mud and became an easy prey for German guns and low-flying aeroplanes. Although the German infantry was barely present, as most units were falling back to better defensive positions, the German artillery was fairly active and became increasingly so.
2nd Lieutenant David James Davies and several other Tanks supported the attack of the 45th Brigade of the 15th Division. They were designated to help and assist the 485th Brigade to capture the second objective, a.k.a. the Green Line. When advancing to the Green Line the Infantry met determined resistance. Several concrete pill-boxes near the Frezenberg, equipped with machine-guns held up the advance. Subsequently the Tanks were moved in to silence these strongpoints. They were able to silence several German machine-gun positions, but were soon targeted by the German artillery.
Tanks “Canada” and “Cuidich’n Rich” were taken out by direct hits while consolidating the Green Line near the Ypres-Roulers Railway embankment. “Cyprus” and “Culloden” were operating on the left flank and were advancing to Beck House. This area was in good view of several anti-Tank guns, on a high position beyond. Both Tanks were quickly targeted by the German guns. When “Cyprus” arrived about 500 yards southwest of Beck House and was turning to reply fire, two shells burst inside the Tank killing Commander David James Davies and the driver, wounding one gunner, and wrecking the Tank. “Culloden” was equally hit by the same anti-Tank Guns, but managed to get away. However between Frost House and square Farm it took a direct hit. The Driver of the “Culloden” was killed instantly and the Tank’s petrol pressure pipe was ruptured, immobilizing the vehicle. The crew left the Tank and took cover in a nearby shell hole, while the German artillery took the “Culloden” apart. At 10.15 a.m. all survivors of the “Cyprus” and “Culloden” withdrew to the Battalion Rallying Point, taking the few undamaged Lewis Guns of the Tanks with them.
Fighting at the Green Line continued throughout the day and the line was eventually consolidated during the night. 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies was killed in action during the attack on the Frezenberg. He possibly fell near Frost House (about 500 yards southwest of Beck house), where his Tank was hit by German anti-Tank shells. He has no known grave and 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
At 3.50 a.m. both men and Tanks moved forward behind a massive allied artillery barrage. The German front line fell at once and the going was fairly easy. Little resistance was encountered and the most difficult obstacle for the Tanks proved to be the marshy terrain. The more they advanced the worse the terrain. The ground was honey-combed with shell holes and the ground was sodden from the rainwater. Many Tanks got stuck in the mud and became an easy prey for German guns and low-flying aeroplanes. Although the German infantry was barely present, as most units were falling back to better defensive positions, the German artillery was fairly active and became increasingly so.
2nd Lieutenant David James Davies and several other Tanks supported the attack of the 45th Brigade of the 15th Division. They were designated to help and assist the 485th Brigade to capture the second objective, a.k.a. the Green Line. When advancing to the Green Line the Infantry met determined resistance. Several concrete pill-boxes near the Frezenberg, equipped with machine-guns held up the advance. Subsequently the Tanks were moved in to silence these strongpoints. They were able to silence several German machine-gun positions, but were soon targeted by the German artillery.
Tanks “Canada” and “Cuidich’n Rich” were taken out by direct hits while consolidating the Green Line near the Ypres-Roulers Railway embankment. “Cyprus” and “Culloden” were operating on the left flank and were advancing to Beck House. This area was in good view of several anti-Tank guns, on a high position beyond. Both Tanks were quickly targeted by the German guns. When “Cyprus” arrived about 500 yards southwest of Beck House and was turning to reply fire, two shells burst inside the Tank killing Commander David James Davies and the driver, wounding one gunner, and wrecking the Tank. “Culloden” was equally hit by the same anti-Tank Guns, but managed to get away. However between Frost House and square Farm it took a direct hit. The Driver of the “Culloden” was killed instantly and the Tank’s petrol pressure pipe was ruptured, immobilizing the vehicle. The crew left the Tank and took cover in a nearby shell hole, while the German artillery took the “Culloden” apart. At 10.15 a.m. all survivors of the “Cyprus” and “Culloden” withdrew to the Battalion Rallying Point, taking the few undamaged Lewis Guns of the Tanks with them.
Fighting at the Green Line continued throughout the day and the line was eventually consolidated during the night. 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies was killed in action during the attack on the Frezenberg. He possibly fell near Frost House (about 500 yards southwest of Beck house), where his Tank was hit by German anti-Tank shells. He has no known grave and 2nd Lieutenant David James Davies is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Sources 6
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"The Tank Corps", Williams-Ellis C., London, Country Life, 1919, pg. 84-88. Sources used |
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"The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995, pg. 24-25. Sources used |
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Ancestry http://home.ancestry.co.uk/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1609219/davies,-david-james/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Tank Corps 3rd Bn. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/d8e65286c72b420087471840891b6420 Further reference |