During the Great War, 524 clergymen served in the Canadian Chaplain Service. Of this number 447 served overseas, and a number of those chaplains served with distinction, such as George Anderson Wells, an Anglican priest, who finished the war as the most decorated chaplain in the British Commonwealth. Other chaplains who paid the supreme sacrifice, such as Father Rosaire Crochetiere, the beloved chaplain of the Royal 22e Regiment, killed in an artillery barrage near Flanders, on 2 April 1918. Padre Crochetiere described by the men of his regiment as being like a father, a brother, a confidant, and a friend. Captain William Henry Davis served with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion in the Great War.
Canon Frederick George Scott
One such chaplain, upon whom many called, was Canon Frederick George Scott, who was padre of the 1st Division of the Canadian Corps. Described as one of the most beloved men in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Canon Scott became a respected confidant, friend and spiritual guide to many junior, senior officers and enlisted men.
When he returned from the war, still revered by thousands. And, in 1934 he published a memoir entitled The Great War as I Saw It. Describing his own search for the buried body of his son Captain Henry Hutton Scott, killed in the 21 October 1916 attack on Regina Trench, near Courcelette.
Royal Canadian Chaplain Service
Today, the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service (RCChS) contributes to the operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Supporting the moral and spiritual well being of military personnel and their families – domestically and internationally.
William Henry Davis
Hon. Captain Rev. William Henry Davis, MC one of that small band of brave and selfless men of God who served and often gave their lives as Chaplain to the men of the 4th CMR.
Early Life
Captain William Henry Davis son of James and Anne Davis, of Manor House, Acontha, Tullamore, King’s Co. (Offaly), Ireland. Born on 21 January 1883.
Enlistment
Captain William Henry Davis enlisted 6 March 1916 into the 138th (Edmonton) Battalion. Davis must have been a tall man, his attestation paper not noting this, though he weighed 168 pounds. William was a “Clerk in Holy Orders” with the Church of England at the time of his attestation.
Became one of 14 serving clergymen in the 4th CMR. He quickly won the admiration of the men and referred to in glowing terms whenever talked about. Appointed Honorary rank of Captain, 17 April 1916.
Captain William Henry Davis sailed 21 August 1916 from Halifax. Arrived Liverpool, 30 August 1916. On 29 October 1916, ceases attached to 138th Battalion. Now attached 238th Battalion, Bramshott Camp. Detailed to duty to Crowborough, 25 November 1916.
Struck-off-strength, 238th Battalion, on proceeding overseas, 4 January 1917. Arrived, Canadian Depot, Le Havre, 5 February 1917. Proceeded to Canadian Corps HQ, 13 February 1917. Attached to 8th Brigade, 13 March 1917. Just prior to the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Davis attached to 4th Battalion C.M.R.
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The bravery of Captain William Henry Davis did not go unnoticed during the battle of Vimy Ridge.
The battlefield cleared and the wounded evacuated. The Medical Officer, Major Henry Clarke Davis, had a dirty little shelter behind the crest in which he cared for the wounded. He worked throughout the day. With a door for an operating table until all the wounded cleared.
There, another Davis attached to the Battalion, Captain W. H. Davis, Chaplain, recently joined, who at once became endeared to the men. The first glimpse they had of their beloved Padre in action was seeing him in the twilight on the crest of the Ridge, his steel helmet hung over his arm, prayer-book in hand, burying the dead, regardless of shells dropping around him. The Battalion blessed with two great Davis’s.
S. G. Bennett 4th CMR History of 1926
Battle of Hill 70
Again, the bravery of Captain William Henry Davis continued during a tour in June 1917.
Captain Davis, with the men as usual, in the front line, doing everything he could for their comfort. For three days he worked with a party of ten men. Giving Christian burial to the dead, left unburied in the area. His courage and scorn of danger endeared him to all who knew him. This tour, which ended on the 17th, was the last for a month.
S. G. Bennett 4th CMR History of 1926
Granted leave of absence from 1 August to 11 August 1917. Returned from leave, 13 August 1917.
Battle of Passchendaele
Many others did more than their mere duty, but none would begrudge another mention of the Chaplain, Captain W. H. Davis. As at Vimy and every other action, so at Passchendaele this Padre exceeded his duty by exposing himself unnecessarily. He went forward with the men, mustering and organizing a party of stretcher-bearers. Gaining the admiration of all the combatants.
Walking about in the open looking for wounded, apparently oblivious of his danger. It was a miracle that he lived to enter another action. His coolness and unselfish thoughtfulness for the welfare of others gained for him a very warm spot in the hearts of all the men.
One officer, seeing the Padre laboriously coming toward him through a downpour of crumps. Asked him what he was doing walking around in the open. His reply had its usual candour. I was getting anxious about you. During the afternoon of the 26th he so successfully controlled the stretcher-bearers and set such a wonderful example that practically all the wounded collected.
S. G. Bennett 4th CMR History of 1926
Similar event
Another event transpires, this time in sight of the Germans.
One incident which illustrates the curious turn of events of that day is not recorded in the Diary, but gleaned from witnesses. It shows how rapidly a situation could alter and throws some light on the curious psychology of the real combatants. Late in the afternoon by common, uncommunicated consent, without notification or sanction, both sides suddenly decided on a temporary armistice to look after their wounded and dead. One of those spontaneous things, arranged without agreement. It just happened. It suited both sides.
Some think that the Germans were probably awed by the unusual sight of Padre Davis with such a large party nonchalantly walking about and as soon as they realized what he was doing, decided to do likewise.
Suddenly large numbers of Germans got out of their trenches and commenced to search for their wounded. The idea was mutual. When the Germans found a wounded Canadian they’d mark his position by sticking his rifle in the mud and placing his helmet on it; or carry him to a pill-box which soon became a clearing station where the troops of both sides foregathered and exchanged the wounded.
Since sunrise the fighting had been bitter; each side trying to create as much havoc as possible among the men whom they were now trying to succour. It was a rational paradox for the men in the line. But the unofficial truce did not last long. Some young, enthusiastic forward-observing officer of the gunners could not resist reporting the existence of so many targets and soon the guns opened on the weary missionaries who had to postpone their rescuing.
S. G. Bennett 4th CMR History of 1926
Regimental War Diary
Following the Battle of Passchendaele, the Regimental War Diary entry as the regiment under quarantine during a diphtheria outbreak:
The quarantine forbidding a Church Parade, ‘Capt. W. H. Davis, the padre’, visited each company in turn and held service in their billets.
Regimental War Diary 7 October 1917
From the Regimental History, at Passchendaele on October 26th, 1917:
Captain Davis is also mentioned specifically on that occasion in the Narrative of Events of the Action of October 26th, 1917.
Scattered shelling and harrassing fire persisted throughout the day and night but through the splendid efforts of the Battalion Chaplain, Capt. W. H. Davis, and the Stretcher Bearers, our ground was cleared of the wounded.
Regimental War Diary 26 October 1917
Military Cross
Awarded the Military Cross, London Gazette, No. 30482, 18 January 1918, most likely for the above action. The citation for this reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While the fighting was still in progress he organised and led stretcher parties into the forward area under heavy shell and machine-gun fire. He searched “No Man’s Land” throughout the day in full view of the enemy, and set a splendid example of courage and determination.
London Gazette, No. 30482, 18 January 1918
Folies
On 9 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens, Battalion Headquarters left le Quesnel and went into shelters further forward. The reserve company going with Headquarters. At this time Lieutenant Inch of the Field Artillery arrived with two field guns and got his guns into position to support the attack.
The capture of the town of Folies followed. One platoon of the left company went around the north of Folies, one platoon through the town, the remainder skirmishing and clearing out some of the enemy who were fighting from old gun-pits. Shortly after the capture of the town, Captain Davis on his way to Folies to help with the wounded.
Death of William Henry Davis
9 August 1918. The actual circumstances of his death were that in having gone to Le Quesnel Hospital to secure a stretcher party, he was returning with that party “when an enemy shell exploded at his feet instantly killing him”.
And finally, concerning his loss, in the taking of Le Quesnel and Folies:
Every officer and man mourned for their beloved Padre. He came from Western Canada but he had retained his Irish heart and Celtic charm. If he knew what fear was he never showed it. His remarkable disregard for danger while carrying out what he considered his duty, became a regimental tradition. In the daily life of the Battalion, in billets or in trenches he was always thinking of the men’s welfare.
On this day as on former occasions he was preparing to carry out his practical mission of mercy and was gathering around him his little band of stretcher-bearers when he and one of his men were hit by a shell. No officer was more loved for his character or more admired for his bravery than Padre Davis.
S. G. Bennett 4th CMR History of 1926
Plaque
Represented on the In Memoriam page by the people of the Parish of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, in Edmonton, Alberta. A plaque dedicated to his life and service hangs.
Capt. Davis’ further honour was to be 4cmr.com’s 100th man on the In Memoriam page.
Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery
Hon. Capt. the Reverend William Henry Davis, Chaplain, lies at rest in Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery.
Le Quesnel is a village about 26 kilometres south-east of Amiens and 8 kilometres south-west of Rosieres and a little north of the main road from Amiens to Noyon. Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery situated on the northern side of the village on the road to Caix.
The communal cemetery is adjacent to Le Quesnel Communal Cemetery Extension.
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