Dawlish World War One Project

Thomas joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman, 2nd class, on 17 September 1891 when he was sent to the Boy Seaman's training ship H.M.S.IMPREGNABLE. He was shown having the previous occupation of errand boy. At the age of 18 he signed on for “12 years” and served on various ships, being rated Able Seaman after three years.
On 30 March 1905 he moved to the Royal Fleet Reserve following a six month period in the Barracks at Devonport (H.M.S.VIVID). At this point he was given the service number R.F.R. Dev.B.929. He re-enrolled with the R.F.R. on 14th August 1910 for another five years w.e.f. 30.3.10.

On the outbreak of war he was called up for service in the Royal Navy once more with his original service number 162870. Thomas Davis' service on H.M.S.HILARY ends on 31 March 1916 when he was transferred to the strength of H.M.S.VIVID.

From the ship's log of H.M.S.HILARY for 1 April 1916 - 10.0am: 1 AB sent to hospital.
It seems very likely that this was A/B Davis as the ship proceeded on patrol and was at sea until after the date of Davis' death.

Thomas Pounder Davis died at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, on 19 April 1916 “from disease.” He was buried in Dawlish Cemetery, plot 2459.

John George Davis (1853- ) married twice; first to Frances Ann Cox Pearce (1851 – 1881) in June 1871. and they had six children, one of which was Thomas Pounder Davis. In 1881 the family lived at 6 Church Street, Dawlish where John G Davis was a joiner.

Thomas Pounder Davis married Frances Lily Steer Leaman (1885-1937) in September 1906 in St Thomas district Exeter.
At the 1911 census they were living at 1 Church Cottages, Dawlish with four children, Beatrice, 4, Edith Mary, 3, Thomas William G, 1 and Frederick J L, 2 months. Thomas is shown as a gardener.