Photo: Kristian Davison
Photo: Kristian Davison
Arras Memorial
J. Bailey, (Great Granddaughter of Thomas) and Dorothy Hall have submitted the following:
Thomas Davison was born at Trimdon Colliery in 1879 the son of Robert and Sarah. In 1901 Thomas married Isabella Duke the mother of one year old Jane Ann Duke at Felling. In 1911 Thomas and Isabella were living at 4 Back Street, East Cross Street, Sunderland with Jane Ann, Richard (1904 Felling), Robert William (1905 Felling), Isabella (1907 Felling) and Thomas (1909 Sunderland). Thomas was a miner (hewer) aged then 32. Another son David McLean Davison was born at Sunderland in 1912.
Sometime after this the family moved to Wardley Colliery living at 56 Wardley Colliery (later called Waggonway Street). On the 7th June 1915 Thomas enlisted at London. Back in Felling on 10th June he completed his enlistment. He was 6ft tall with a weight of 141 pounds and a 35 inch chest. Thomas joined the Royal Engineers Tunnelling Division. By the 14th June 1915 he was in France.
Thomas was wounded and gassed 22nd January 1916. After serving 2 years and 285 days Sapper Thomas Davison of the 174th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers was presumed to have been killed on 21st March 1918 at the battle of Saint Quentin. His body was never found and Thomas is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Isabella and his five children were granted a pension of 37 shillings and 11 pence per week. In summer 1919 Isabella married Ralph Botcherby and in December 1919 she and the Davison children were living at 22 Waggonway Street, Wardley Colliery.
Thomas’ brother David Davison was also killed in action on 13th December 1916. He was a Sergeant in the 11th D.L.I. with Service Number 21999.
Thomas’ brother David Davison was also killed in action on 13th December 1916. He was a Sergeant in the 11th D.L.I. with Service Number 21999.
Thomas Davison is remembered on Wardley W97.01 and Heworth H92.03 on both memorials the name is spelled Davidson.
