De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol. 2 page 94
Family headstone
In St. James's Churchyard is a family headstone which includes Thomas Blackburn Davidson, son of the above, who was killed in action near Hulloch Oct. 15th 1915 aged 21 years.
Thomas Blackburn Davidson was born on the 21st May 1894, he was the only son of Thomas Davidson, of Broomhaugh, Riding Mill, Boot and Shoe Maker, and his wife Jane, daughter of Thomas Blackburn.
He was educated at the Broomhaugh National School at Riding Mill and then became a Gardner.
He initially joined the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 15th August 1914, but was transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment on the 30th August.
Thomas was sent to France on the 31st May 1915 and was killed by a stray bullet on the 15th October.
He was buried on the right hand side of the road leading from Vermelles to Hulluch.
Sergeant-Major J. Sanderson later wrote:-It is with great sorrow and regret I have to write to you on behalf of No 10 Platoon of your son's regiment. We desire to express our deep regret that he should have been taken away from us. He was liked by everyone with whom he came in touch, a good comrade to all, and always a ready volunteer for any dangerous work that had to be done. Mere words will not express our feelings of regret and great admiration for him whilst he was with us.
He was single.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
