Corporal Phillip Davey

image: D00067 image: D00067
Photograph D00067
Service number 1327, R1327
Ranks Held Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private
Birth Date 1896-10-10
Birth Place Australia: South Australia, Goodwood
Death Date 1953-12-21
Death Place Australia: South Australia, Adelaide
Final Rank Corporal
Service Australian Imperial Force
Unit 10th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Conflicts/Operations
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • First World War, 1914-1918
Gazettes Published in London Gazette in 1918-04-02
Published in London Gazette in 1918-08-17
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-08-07
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-12-12
Description

Phillip Davey was born at Unley, Adelaide, and was a horse driver before enlisting in the 10th Battalion in December 1914. He was invalided home from Gallipoli, but returned to his unit in France in 1916. He was accidentally wounded in March 1917 and gassed in October. In January 1918 he won the Military Medal. Remarkably, his two brothers received the same award.

At Merris, on 28 June 1918, Davey's platoon came under heavy fire and the commander was killed. Survivors sheltered in a ditch under almost point-blank fire from a German machine-gun. Davey launched a solo attack on the enemy until forced to return for more grenades. Attacking again, he killed the crew and captured the gun, then used it to mount a successful counter-attack until he was wounded.

Davey's wounds were severe and he was sent to Britain. After the war he worked in the signals and telegraph branch of the South Australian Railways. He suffered for years with bronchitis and emphysema before his death in 1953.

Davey was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Military Medal, service medals for the First World War, and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

Collection items

    Media


    London, England. 20 September 1918. Informal outdoors portrait of Corporal Phillip Davey VC MM, ...

    A montage of nine portrait photographs taken at Westham camp. In the centre is a group portrait ...

    Informal outdoors portrait of Corporal Phillip Davey VC MM, of 10th Battalion, AIF. He was ...

    Object


    Victoria Cross : Corporal Phillip Davey, 10 Battalion, AIF

    Military Medal: Private P Davey, 10 Battalion, AIF

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 10 October 1896
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 22 December 1914
Date of enlistment 22 December 1914
Date of embarkation 02 February 1915
Date of embarkation 27 June 1916
Date wounded 15 March 1917 Accidently wounded.
Date wounded 03 October 1917 Gassed.
Date of honour or award 03 January 1918 Awarded the Military Medal.
Date of recommendation honour or award 20 January 1918
Date promoted 24 April 1918 Promoted to Corporal.
Date of honour or award 28 June 1918 Awarded for action at Merris, France whilst serving with the 10th Battalion.
Date wounded 28 June 1918 Wounded in an attack.
Date of recommendation honour or award 10 July 1918
Date returned to Australia 19 October 1918
Date of discharge 24 February 1919
Date of death 21 December 1953

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