Frederick George Davies was born in 1896 at Oswestry, the second of 8 children of Frederick and Ellen Davies. The family had lived at 20 Welsh Walls before moving to 60 Upper Church Street. His father worked as a machinist printer. Before the war Frederick had worked as an office boy for Woodall, Minshall Thomas & Co, printers and stationers with a shop in the town on Cross Street and later Church Street. Frederick joined 2nd Welsh Horse in February 1915. The Welsh Horse was a second line cavalry unit based at home and used as a reserve and training battalion. It was disbanded in 1916 and Frederick was transferred to the 9th Queens Royal Lancers. He went over to France in November 1916 and, at first, was attached to the East Surrey Regiment before returning to the Lancers in April 1917.

Frederick was KIA on 22 March 1918, on his sister Amy’s 13th birthday. During March 1918 the 9th Lancers were at Doingt near Peronne. Frederick was most likely one of the Pioneer Squadron, which was assigned on working parties near Roisel when Operation Michael started. All the unit’s casualties at this time were Pioneers with 8 KIA, 20 wounded and 56 missing. Frederick’s body was lost and he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial and has no known grave. His name also appears on 9th Lancers Roll of Honour in Canterbury Cathedral and at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry. There are also two mentions to Frederick in the Border Counties Advertizer, in the Roll of Honour on 17^th April 1918 (pg.3 col.3) and for a Memorial Service  24^th April 1918  (pg.8 col.1).

Acknowledgements. Photo and additional information thanks to Sue Overy (niece)

References and Sources

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