Luke Atkinson Davison was born in 1896 at Brancepeth Colliery, County Durham, the youngest of 10 children of whom only eight survived, he was the 3rd born of 3 sons and had 5 elder sisters. His father William John Davison of Houghton-le-Spring born 1861 married in 1887, Elizabeth Jane Atkinson born 1879 at Willington, County Durham. They settled at 46, Russell Place, Willington where William was employed at the colliery. Later they moved to 11 Cross Street, Stockley by which time their eldest son Henry (14) was also working at the colliery as a driver below ground. By 1911 Henry was no longer living at home, however his sister Catherine, now married to John Henry Parkin with a baby son Henry, lived with her parents and siblings at 38, Railway Street, Willington, John Henry, his father-in-law William and Joseph William (20) all worked as hewers they had been joined by Luke (14) employed as a driver. Three of Luke’s other sisters still lived at home Matilda (18) assisted with home duties, Edith Ann (12) and Elizabeth (10) were scholars.

On the outbreak of war he enlisted at Bishop Auckland, July 12th 1915 assigned as Private 250481 Durham Light Infantry and transferred to the 23rd Battalion part of Kitchener’s New Army Reserve, August 20th 1915 until November 26th 1915, when he was moved to the 3/6th Battalion at Redcar before the battalion moved to Catterick, December 1915. Transferred to the 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry March 31st 1916 he embarked for France and joined his regiment in the field, attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, in Belgium, fighting on the Ypres salient until moving south to the Somme in September 1916. They suffered heavy losses in October 1916 at High Wood and Eaucourt L’Abbaye and during the attack at the Butte de Warlencourt as it failed due to the muddy conditions, they lost 150 men killed or wounded. During these encounters Private Davison was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

They left the battlefields of the Somme and moved to the Arras sector where they fought April 9th-May 15th 1917, before returning to the Ypres salient in October and November engaged during the Third Battle of Ypres. February 1st 1918 at his oven request he reverted again to the rank of Private but by April 23rd 1918 was again unpaid Lance Corporal.

March 21st the German Army attacked on the Somme, the 1/6th was ordered back to the front line south of Peronne but were soon in retreat along with the rest of the 151st Brigade. Fighting on the River Lys in April their strength was weakened even more until on May 27th 1918 the 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was all but destroyed in the fighting on the River Aisne.

Between April 27th/31st Lance Corporal Davison was reported as missing, next of kin were informed, it was confirmed June 17th 1918 that he was a prisoner of war of the Germans. After Armistice he was released and arrived back in England at Ripon, December 2nd 1918. Transferred to the 68th D.L.I. Depot February 5th 1919 then on to the 5th Reserve the following day he was officially discharged March 24th 1919, returning to his home at 38, Railway Street, Willington, County Durham. Lance Corporal 250481 Luke Atkinson Davison Durham Light Infantry was the recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

During the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/June) 1919 Luke Atkinson Davison married at Weardale, County Durham, Maude M. Cooke with whom he had 3 sons, Joseph 1920-1922 registered at Durham, Frank 1921-1978, death registered at Doncaster, Yorkshire and John Robert born July 2nd 1924 at Willington County Durham died July 30th 2013.

Maude M. Davison nee Cooke died in 1953 aged 57 years, Luke Atkinson Davison died aged 93 years in 1989, both deaths registered at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

His brother Joseph William died in WW1.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.