The Midlands Counties Express of 6 November 1915 included the photographs of three young brother serving their country, sons of Mr & Mrs Davies of 21 Hospital Street, Bilston:
- Private William, 8th Leicester Regiment
- Private George, 18th Sherwoods (Notts and Derby)
- Private Jonah, 2nd South Staffords, who had been at the front for several months and was wounded and gassed.
They were all the sons of Peter and Rosannah Davies, who were living at 21 Smith Street, Bilston in 1901, and at 2 Hospital Street, Bilston, in 1911.
William Frank was born in Wolverhampton in 1894. By 1911, he was a helper in a foundry works. There is a William Davies in the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment (service number 17957), who was killed in action on 15 Jul 1916. His next of kin is given as his wife, Alice, so I cannot confirm whether this is the same man.
George Henry was born in 1895. By 1911, his and Jonah’s name were included on the household census entry, but then crossed out with the word “dead” next to it. However, as I have been unable to find confirmation of their death, and as they are clearly mentioned as serving in the army in the newspaper article, this is obviously an anomaly. There is a George Henry Davies living with his uncle, George William Crane, at 166 Horseley Fields, Wolverhampton, but I’m not sure whether this is the same man. I have not been able to confirm details of his military service, either. However, there is a George H. Davies who died in Wolverhampton in 1916. He does not appear on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, so if this is him, his death was not due to his war service.
Jonah was born in Manchester on 4 April 1896, although I have not been able to confirm this. He served in the South Staffordshire Regiment (first service number 9144, and later 61638). He first served in France from 23 March 1915, and was promoted from Private to Corporal. He appears to have survived the war, but I have not been able to confirm further details of his life.