Percival James Davis

Story:
Percival James Davis was born in Alcester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 May 1892 the son of James John Davis and Maria Davis (nee Russell).  He lived his early life in the Alcester (St. James) area until by 1911 he was boarding at Castle Hill House, Shaftesbury, working as a Servant to Dr. Harold Gould.  His duties were to 'wait on gentlemen visitors'.    He enlisted on 26 Jan 1912 in the Royal Navy as an Officers' Steward 2nd Class (Service No. L3391).  His short service ended on 3 Mar 1913.  He again enlisted on 25 Nov 1915 and joined the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. TR/9/7089 & 23687).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served in but he was with the 4th Battalion when he was discharged as being medically unfit due to heart problems on 12 Dec 1917 with the rank of lance Corporal and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 283961 as well as the Victory and British War Medals and a life pension.  He married Annie Mary Louisa Extance in the Parish Church at Horton, Dorset, on 25 Dec 1919.   The 1921 Census shows him living at 6 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, working as an Outfitter's Assistant for W.G. Salisbury, Draper and Outfitter, of 34 High Street, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 'Elhanan', Glendale Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, still working as a Shop Assistant in a Gentleman's Outfitters.   His death was recorded in Bournemouth during 1959.  His brothers, Ernest George Davis and John Richard Davis, also served and survived the conflict.