Davies A. Cpl. K.S.L.I.

Arnold Davies was born at Bomere Heath in 1892. He was the son of John Fox Davies, a farmer, and his wife Elizabeth (maiden name Emberton). Arnold's birth was registered as 'Arnold Emberton Davies' but in the 1911 census he is recorded as 'Arnold Fox Davies'.

By 1911 the family had moved to Upper Farm, Farmcote near Claverley, where the 18 year-old Arnold is recorded as 'Farmer's son working on farm'. John and Elizabeth later moved to Atchley House, Shifnal.

Before the outbreak of war Arnold was a member of the Shropshire Yeomanry - a territorial cavalry regiment. He was mobilised at the start of the war and spent eighteen months in East Anglia. The battalion was dismounted before being sent to Egypt in March 1916.

While in Egypt, Arnold would have seen action in the Second and Third Battles of Gaza, the Captures of Jerusalem and Jerico and the Actions of Tel Azur. In March 1917, the 1/1st Shropshire Yeomanry was merged with the 1/1st Cheshire Yeomanry to form the 10th (Shropshire & Cheshire Yeomanry) Battalion, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

The battalion moved to France in May 1918. After a relatively quiet period:

On August 22nd orders were received to move forward, at very short notice, in conformity with an advance of the Division north of the Lys Canal. The advance north of the canal was unfortunately hung up, and, without any information of the position on the left flank, the 10th K.S.L.I. proceeded into what proved to be for them a trap. Advancing through high standing corn the battalion continued until within a few hundred yards of the concealed enemy, who met them with a devastating fire from carefully prepared positions. He then followed up his advantage with a determined counter-attack and severe hand-to-hand fighting took place. The battalion was eventually forced back to its starting-point. [Wood p.295]

Arnold Davies was killed during this fighting on the 22nd August. He is buried at Vielle-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacoutre.

Corporal Arnold Davies, 230121 KSLI (formerly 1643 Shropshire Yeomanry) was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the Territorial Forces War Medal.