Pte. John Davies

John was born in 1890. His father came from Presteigne; his mother from Colva, in Radnorshire. There were 11 children in the family. John (known as Herbert) and his brother Carl emigrated to Canada, sometime before 1911.

Herbert Davies enlisted in the 46th Battalion of the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force (CEF) in December, 1914 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He transferred to the 32nd. Reserve Battalion in July,1915. Herbert later embarked for Britain and was accommodated at Shorncliffe Army Camp in Kent. Here, he was drafted into the 10th Battalion, (Alberta Regiment) before embarkation to France.

The Alberta Regiment fought at the Battle for Mount Sorrel in June 1916, which took place on the ridge above Ypres. The summits of Hill 61 and Hill 62 (Tor Top), were held by three divisions of the Canadian Corps. Intending to divert British advances in the key Somme sector, the Germans conducted a major attack on the Canadians above Ypres, resulting in heavy Canadian casualties.

Herbert’s battalion moved from reserve positions to Mount Sorrell to support Canadian counter-attacks, but were forced to withdraw to Hill 60.

On the 13th June, following through on a successful assault by the 16th Battalion, the Alberta Regiment were deployed to consolidate gains. Following the fighting on the 14th, Herbert was reported missing; later, as being Killed In Action.

John Herbert Davies has no known grave.