William Robert Davis

Story:
William Robert Davis was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 10th May 1886 and baptised there at St. John's Church on 6th June 1886, the son of Frederick Davis and Emily Davis (née Jenkins). His siblings included Harry (b.1880) and Charles (b.1888) both of whom died during the war. His other brothers, Frank (b.1882) served in the war with the Coldstream Guards and Edward Frederick (b. 1898) with the Inniskilling Fusiliers. William lived all his early life in and around Enmore Green until, prior to 1911, he enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 7161) and, at the time of the 1911 Census, was serving at the Wanowri Lines, India.  He later served with the 1st Battalion in France and Flanders from 16 Aug 1914 where he was promoted to Corporal.  At the time of the Absent Voter List dated 1918 he was with the 5th Battalion.   On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British medals as well as the 1914/15 Star with roses and clasp.  He married Lilian Winifred Hayter at St. James's Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2nd May 1920.  They went on to have three children.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 23 St. James Street, Shaftesbury, working as an Agricultural Labourer at Holyrood Farm, Shaftesbury. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 14 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, Dorset and working as a Horseman on a Farm.  His death was recorded at the Gillingham, Dorset, Registry in 1945 and he was buried at Milton-on-Stour, Near Gillingham, on 26 March 1945.