On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of 21999 Sergeant David Davison serving with the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 13/12/1916.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
David Davison was born 1873 in Shotton, County Durham, he was the son of Robert and Sarah Davison. David was a coal miner stoneman who at the age of 37 married, February 12th 1910 at St. Marys Church, Heworth, Gateshead historically in County Durham 32-year-old widow, Isabella Jane Alderton. Born in 1879 at Wardley she had 2 children, Benjamin 10 and Sarah 8. The following year they were living at 10, Drake Street, Newcastle upon Tyne and went on to have 3 children of their own, Annie born 1911, David in 1913 and Thomas who was born January 8th 1916 whilst David was at the front and who he probably never knew.
David Davison enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne, November 13th 1914, telling an untruth as regards his age, declaring he was 34 years old when he was actually 41. At the time of his enlistment he and his family were living at 48. Wagon Way Row, Wardley Colliery. David was assigned as Private 21999 Durham Light Infantry, 17th Reserve Battalion, joining the regiment in Barnard Castle, November 19th, remaining in England, during which time he was posted as Acting Corporal. Drafted to France, August 17th 1915, transferred in the field to the 11th Battalion, 20th Light Division, he was promoted to Sergeant, April 25th 1916. The Division engaged the enemy during the Battles of the Somme at Delville Wood, Giullemont, Ginchy Wood, Flers-Courcelette and Transloy Ridge, remaining on the Western Front for the duration of the war.
Sergeant 21999 David Davison Durham Light Infantry was killed in action December 13th 1916, his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France which commemorates over 72,000 officers and men from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme 1916-1918 and who have no known grave. David is listed by the C.W.G.C. as being 38 years old, at the time of his death, he was actually 43.
His widow Isabella Jane received all monies due to him, all his effects as stated in his Will dated March 7th 1916, a pension for herself and their children of 31 shillings and 3 pence a week as of July 2nd 1917, also his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 54, Reservoir Street, Wardley Colliery, County Durham.
David’s brother Thomas was also killed in action March 21st 1918.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In peace.
David Davison is remembered on Wardley W97.01, at Heworth on H92.03 on both memorials the name is spelled Davidson and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 331.
