Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Davies was born 1895 in Spennymoor, County Durham the son of Samuel Nicholas Davies native of Brynmawr, Breconshire and his wife Annie born Hedley Hill, County Durham. He was the eldest son of 8 surviving children, (1 deceased) and in 1911 the family was living at 34 Hume Street, Low Spennymoor where his father was a sulphur of ammonia maker at the coke ovens and William, now 16, worked at the colliery taking tokens off.
William Davies enlisted in Spennymoor as Private 1768 1/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, during his service rising to the rank of Corporal. The 1/6th Battalion landed in Boulogne April 17th 1915 and in May of the same year became part of the 150th Brigade, 50 Northumbrian Division. In June 1915 after taking heavy losses they were merged with the 8th Battalion for a brief period until August 1915 when they were again at full strength. During 1916 the Battalion was involved in the front line fighting on the Ypres Salient and by June were near La Clytte in Belgium where William was wounded. He was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station near Bailleul which was an important rail head, air depot and hospital centre. Corporal William Davies 1768 Durham Light Infantry died here of wounds sustained in action, June 19th 1916 and is interred at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France, grave II. E. 209.
His mother commissioned at a cost of 3/2, (three shillings and two pence), the words REST IN PEACE, which were added to his gravestone. William was 21 years old and unmarried.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William is remembered at Chilton on C107.01 C107.04 and C107.12
