Davison, James - Private (35623)

(No soldier photo available)

11th Battalion,
East Lancashire Regiment,
Killed in Action,
15th May 1917,
Age 39,
Buried Ste. Catherine British Cemetery.

James Davison was born in Rising Bridge, Haslingden on 12 April 1878 and was baptised at St. James Church, Haslingden on 28 March 1880. He was the son of William and Mary Ellen Davison of 633, Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge and brother of Harry Davison, who was killed at Passchendaele in 1917. (Also on Stonefold War Memorial.) In 1901 James was living at 635, Blackburn Road, Acre with his parents, brothers John W, William, Herbert, Harry and Walter and sister Mary. At this time he was employed as a carter working on a farm. James was brought up at Stonefold Church and school and continued his connection with the church until going to the front. He was highly popular in the Rising Bridge district. Prior to joining the army he was employed as a weaver at Messrs N. Worsley’s Rising Bridge Mill. He enlisted in the 3rd/4th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, in March 1916, and later transferred to the 11th Battalion. He died on 15 May 1917 from wounds sustained in France. James Davison, 39 years of age and single. James Davison is buried in St. Catherine British Cemetery on the north western outskirts of Arras, France.

"On 15 May 1917 the Battalion attempted to capture a German strong point in Oppy Trench, in Oppy Wood outside the village of Oppy, north of Arras. The attack was made by a bombing party supported by covering fire. Several attacks were made but the barbed wire round the strong point proved impassable and the bombing party had to return. Two more attempts ended in failure and, as it was evident the German forces were too strong it was decided to break off the attacks.

The Battalion lost ten men killed and 36 wounded in this period. Pte. Davison was probably wounded in the first attack and died of his wounds later that day".

From – Bill Turner’s Book.