Geoffrey Davies / Davis (although both spellings of his surname are used, the second is more likely correct) was born in 1896 at Oswestry (Sweeney). He was the second of five children of Frederick and Alice Davis, his siblings were Guy, Joyce, Robert and Alison. They lived at Morda School where Frederick was a schoolmaster; he would later move to Gobowen School. Geoffrey began his education at Morda and continued at Oswestry Grammar School. After leaving school he joined the reporting staff at Oswestry and Border Counties Advertiser. He was the first member of the staff to join up, enlisting October 1914. When he left for the army he was given a send off from the office. The editor, Mr CP Gasquoine, made a presentation of a pocket wallet and toiletries and praised Geoffrey’s patriotism, reminding him not to forget to get an exclusive interview with the Kaiser when they reached Berlin. During the war Geoffrey would submit a number of dispatches of his war experiences that appeared in the newspaper.

Geoffrey first enlisted in the 6 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and went over to France on 8 August 1915. He would later be posted to 10 Bn KSLI. The 10 Bn KSLI spent most of the war in the Middle East, only arriving in France in May 1918. It is possible that Geoffrey had been wounded and returned to duty to 10 Bn KSLI after May 1918. He is listed as officially killed on 29 September 1918. At this time the battalion had been withdrawn from the line. The battalion War Diary records them having a rest day including football match between officers and a Scratch XI from the battalion – the Scratch XI were one goal ahead when the match was abandoned due to a rain storm.

It is probable that Geoffrey was killed between the 18 and 23 September when the battalion had been engaged in fighting during the Battle of Epehy and attack on Hindenburg Line and the Quadrilateral. He had been setting up a machine gun when he was hit by a sniper and severely wounded. Because of the fighting he could not be evacuated and had to be left. British artillery later shelled the location meaning he either died as a result of his wounds or was a victim of ‘friendly fire’. Geoffrey was buried on the battlefield and later re-interred at Unicorn Cemetery at Vendhule. His headstone reads ‘Father, help us to be worthy’. Geoffrey had been a chorister at St Oswald’s Church where a memorial service for him was held, officiated by the Rev. Lutener and curate Rev. Herring. Family and many friends attended. His name also appears on the war memorial at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry School, Gobowen and Whittington.

Geoffrey’s elder brother, Guy Davis, also served in the war. He enlisted as a private in the King’s Liverpool Regiment and was later commissioned to KSLI.  Guy was an architect, articled to Mssrs. Shayler & Ridge with offices in Oswestry. They were proponents of the Arts & Crafts movement. Buildings they worked on include National Provincial Bank, now Abbey National on Bailey Street, Seion Chapel at Llanrheardre, Llanidloes Town Hall, Shrewsbury (Sixth Form) College, Robert Owen Museum, Newtown and (attributed) Edenholme villa on Morda Road, Oswestry.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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