F. Davies

Frank Victor Davies was born at Stanton Long in late 1897 or early 1898. He was baptised at the Parish Church on 23rd January, 1898. He was the son of Hubert Henry Davies, a stone mason, and his wife, Mary Jane.

In 1901 the Davies family was living at Broom Cottage, Stanton Long but by 1911 they had moved to Ruthall, Ditton Priors. Frank and his older brother Charles had begun work as farm waggoners.

Frank served with the 7th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He died of wounds on 16th April, 1917 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. The date of his death and the place of his burial suggest that he died in a military hospital after being wounded at the First Battle of the Scarpe (part of the Battle of Arras).

[7th KSLI AT THE] FIRST BATTLE OF THE SCARPE, 1917
At 8.50 a.m. on April 9th the 8th Brigade advanced to the attack on the German third line. A strong west wind was blowing and heavy snow falling. On reaching Tilloy in the German second line it was found that the village had not been cleared. Captain Thursfield, commanding the left-front company, accordingly decided to move round the northern flank of the village and capture the Bois des Boeufs. On seeing this movement, parties of the enemy were sent from Tilloy to assist the garrison in Bois des Boeufs. These parties were attacked withbombs, cut off, and 3 officers and 90 men captured. The 7th K.S.L.I, then cleared the Bois des Boeufs, capturing a further 36 prisoners. The advance was then continued towards the German third line, but was hung up about 2.30 p.m. by intense rifle and machine-gun fire from the flanks. In addition, very strong wire, entirely untouched by the bombardment, was found in front of the position.
A further bombardment to cut this wire was ordered at 5 30, the infantry attack to be resumed at 7 p.m. Unfortunately the bombardment failed in its purpose and the subsequent infantry attack was unsuccessful.
The 12th Division on the left had been hung up early in the afternoon, and misleading reports as to their position exposed our left flank again to very heavy enfilade machine-gun fire. News was received that another bombardment of the position was to be made, and a third infantry attack to follow on the morning of the 10th. In the meantime the 7th K.S.L.I. dug themselves in about 600 yards from the enemy, being on the left flank of the Brigade. The assault at 12 noon on the 10th was completely successful, and the enemy's third line (Fenchy-Wancourt) was taken. [Wood pp.237-8]

Private Frank Davies, 25274 KSLI, was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.