Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
George Edward was the second son of parents, Jonathan (from Ipswich) and Sarah Ann (nee Waites). He was born at Wrekenton in 1898 where the family lived at Chowdean Cottages, Low Fell. The couple had 5/6 children together but unfortunately Charles died in 1911 aged about 5 years.
His remaining siblings were : - Joseph William, Sarah, John Robert and Frederick.
Several members of George’s family worked in the pits. His father was a coal hewer, brother Joseph as a driver and George a miner.
By 1911 the family were living in 2 rooms at 4 Coronation Terrace, Low Fell later moving to 50 Dean Street Low Fell.
George attested on 11 September 1916. He was medically examined on 2 May 1917 and posted to the Training Reserve Battalion with the service no. 18/33.
His examination showed him to be 5’3” tall, 116 lbs and religion Church of England. He had a butterfly VC tattooed on his left leg. It was reported that he had mottled discolouration of his left leg but was considered fit for service.
He was sent to France 21 December 1917 then by the 24 December he joined his battalion the 15th Durham Light Infantry where he served until his death only a few months later.
There are contradictory reports of the actual date of his death ie assumed 21-31 March 1918 or actual 19 April 1918.
The army report states :- “Death presumed by War Office on lapse of time having occurred on or near 21-31 March 1918”.
However this presumption proved to be incorrect as it was later reported that he :-“Died of wounds to left posterior and left leg at 6.00am 19 April 1918 in prisoner of war hospital, Le Cateau. Buried Cemetery of Honour Le Cateau”.
He was certainly held as a prisoner of war for some weeks but it is not certain how he arrived at hospital.
His mother later added the following words to his gravestone :- Peace, Perfect Peace.
George was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
His elder brother, Joseph served in the Great War with the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the Somme on 1st July 1916.
George Edward Davey is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004 and G39.064 and at Low Fell on L61.02 and L61.03
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 68
