Pte 42757 Robert Davies

• Age: 31
• From: Walton Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 23rd September 1917
• Commemorated at: Torreken Farm
  Panel Ref: B.19

Robert Davies was born in Walton, Liverpool in 1886, the son of William and Margaret (nee Reeves) Davies who were married on 15th Dec 1876 at St George, Everton. William, aged 26, was a mariner living at 32 Beatrice St, and Margaret 21 lived next door at 34.

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at 33 Chelmsford St, Kirkdale. His father, William, is aged 40 and is a mariner, his mother, Margaret, is aged 34. They have five children, all born in Liverpool; Elizabeth J. 13, Margaret 11, Rachael 9, William 7, and Robert aged 4.

The 1901 Census show the family has moved to 4 Beckett Street, Kirkdale. His father, William, is now aged 50 and is still a mariner, and his mother is aged 44, with no occupation listed. They have four children living with them, Margaret 21, William J. 17, Robert 14, and Agnes 8.

He was the husband of Ethel Davies (nee Walton). They were married on 08^th September 1907 at St Philip's C. of E. Church, Liverpool. At the time of his marriage he was living at 49 Gaerwen St Liverpool. His wife Ethel was born 19^th July 1887. We know from his marriage certificate that  Robert's occupation was a mariner, both gave their age as 21 (Ethel was 20). We also find from the details on the Marriage Certificate that his father was William Davies, occupation storekeeper.

They went on to have five children, Robert born on 25^th June 1908, Annie 03^rd September 1909, Edward 11^th June 1911, William 04^th December 1912 and Ada 20^th September 1915. Another son, Thomas, was born in 1914 but died in infancy.

He enlisted in Liverpool, in about May or June 1916, and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 42757 when he was killed in action on the 23rd September, 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Robert now rests at Torreken Farm Cemetery No1, Whytschaete, Belgium.

Wytschaete was taken by the Germans early in November 1914, and was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16 April 1918. The village was retaken for the last time on 28 September.  The cemetery, begun by the 5th Dorset Regiment in June 1917 and used as a front line cemetery until April 1918, contains 90 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 14 German war graves.

We currently have no further information on Robert Davies, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.