Charles Davis

Story:
Charles Davis was born in 1888 in Motcombe, Dorset. His birth was registered as "Charlie" but most documents refer to him as Charles. He was the son of Frederick Davis, an agricultural labourer, and Emily Davis (née Jenkins). His siblings included Harry (b.1880) who also died in the war. Brothers Frank (b.1882) served in the Coldstream Guards, William Robert (b.1886) served with the Dorsetshire Regiment and Edward Frederick Davis (b. 1898) with the Inniskilling Fusiliers.  Before the war the family lived at a number of addresses in the area: Long Cross, Church Hill, Enmore Green, Nr Cherry Orchard Farm and in 1911 Foul Hill (Foyle Hill). Charles (Charlie) had enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment on 20th November 1906 (Service No. 8189). On 4th January 1909 he sailed from Portsmouth bound for India, arriving at Madras on 1st February. In the 1911 Census he was living in barracks at Wanowrie Lines, Poona, India.

On 18th October 1914 he sailed from Bombay and landed in Lower Mesopotamia on 6th November 1914. He was based at Basra, Iraq, the base from which the expeditionary force operated. He was killed in action on 14th April 1915 and was buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq (grave id. III.G.18/23), the same cemetery as his brother Harry. He is remembered on the Park Walk War Memorial and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury. His name can also be seen on the memorial in St. James' churchyard and on the roll of honour inside the church. He was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals; his family also received a bronze memorial plaque.