Studio portrait of 1638 Corporal (Cpl) William Frederick Davies, 44th Battalion, of Perth, WA. He ...

Studio portrait of 1638 Corporal (Cpl) William Frederick Davies, 44th Battalion, of Perth, WA. He emigrated with his family to Australia when he was 14 and worked as a shop assistant. He was a member of the 88th Infantry Battalion, a militia unit, before enlisting on 15 February 1916. He embarked from Fremantle, WA, aboard HMAT Suevic on 6 June 1916, and after further training in England he was sent to France. On 3 June 1917 he was wounded, but remained on duty. Five days later he took part in an action at Betlheem Farm for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal 'for great bravery, coolness and devotion to duty'. Cpl Davies was wounded again on 5 July 1917, and for a third time on 22 August 1918. Seven days later he was evacuated to England on and transferred to The War Hospital, Stratford-On-Avon. His left leg was amputated on 31 August and he remained dangerously ill. His aunt in London was telegraphed on Tuesday 3 September by the hospital to advise of his deteriorating condition but Davies died on the morning of 5 September shortly before she arrived to see him. He was buried on 9 September at the Stratford-On-Avon cemetery after a full military funeral with a firing party, bugler and pallbearers. His coffin was draped with the Union Jack and covered with wreaths from friends and family. A large party of walking wounded followed the coffin to the cemetery and there were many Australians present.