Arthur John DAVIS #2648

Indigenous Australian, Arthur Davis, 52nd Infantry Battalion

Arthur John Davis was born in 1893 to Jack and Kate Law (nee Gard). He was employed as a stockman in the Gayndah area when he volunteered to serve with the first AIF in May 1916. Davis departed from Sydney on board HMAT 'Ceramic' and landed at Plymouth in November 1916. Just a month later the 6th reinforcements 52nd Infantry Battalion, embarked for the front lines in Northern France.

Davis was seriously wounded while the battalion was involved in operations at Garter Point, Ypres, 23 September 1917. He suffered wounds to both legs, right elbow and head. With such severe injuries, he was evacuated to England and admitted to the Southern General Hospital, Portsmouth. Davies was to be there for 6 months before being discharged to Harefield Park House, which served as the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital for convalescents.

It was during his time in England that he met and fell in love with Annie Blanche Marton. Arthur and Annie were married at Froxfield Parish Church 20th May 1918.

Davis was repatriated to Australia in June 1918 and medically discharged. Annie sailed for Australia in November 1919 and together they had two children, Edward and Nancy. Sadly Annie passed away in 1926, Arthur later married Flora Margaret Ryan.

Arthur's half brothers Vincent Frederick and Douglas Edward Law, also served during the First World War.

• Service record: DAVIS, Arthur John
• Embarkation roll
• One of the soldiers featured in SLQ’s HistoryPin Collection
• Queensland’s Indigenous Servicemen [mp4, 12 mins]

The information in this blog post has been researched by State Library staff and volunteers, it is based on available information at this time. If you have more information that you would like to share or further research uncovers new findings, this post will be updated.