Lot 3994

Description

Military Cross Group of Four to Light Horse: Military Cross (GRI); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID. Lieut. R. Davis 1st L.H.M.G. Sqdn. A.I.F. on first medal,51 Pte R.Davis 1/L.H.Rgt A.I.F. on second medal, T/Captain R.Davis. A.I.F. on last two medals. First medal engraved, the rest impressed. Very fine - good very fine.

Together with MC case of issue.

MC: LG 3/3/1917, p2198, posn 3; CAG 25/7/1917, p1544, posn 53.

Recommendation: 'A. & N.Z. Mounted Division Desert Column, Magdhaba 23/12/1916. For displaying conspicuous dash and enterprise in the handling of his Machine Guns and assisting the advance of troops on to the enemy trenches. His guns did excellent work and the gun he personally handled was put out of action just before the fall of the last position.'

MID: Supplement No.30169 to LG 6/7/1917, p6773, posn 88; CAG No.174 of 11/10/1917, p2664, posn 92 for mention in a despatch from General Sir Archibald Murray GCMC, KCB Commander-in-Chief of Egyptian Expeditionary Force for conspicuous services rendered by Lt R.Davis MC, 1st Light Horse Brigade, Machine Gun Squadron.

Recommendation: 'A. & N.Z. Mounted Division Desert Column, Rafa 9/1/1917. This officer did exceptionally good work with his 2 guns covering my advance so completely that I was able to advance with a minimum of loss.' Recommended by Lt-Col C,H. Granville DSO, CO 1st LH Regt.

The Battles of Magdhaba on 23 December 1916 and Rafa on 9 January 1917 were attacks on vital outposts of the Turks on the Palestine border which had to be cleared before the allies could make a serious advance into Palestine.

Roy Davis, farmer, age 21, born at Murrumbateman, Yass, NSW; Enl.19Aug1914 in 1 LHR; previous service with 2nd Infy Bn and 11 LHR; Emb.20Oct1914; to Corporal 01Jan1916; to Sergeant 05Jun1916; to be 2/Lieutenant 28Jul1916; 20Nov1916 qualified as 1st Class Machine Gun Instructor at Zeitoun; to Lieutenant 21Dec1916; 19Jan1917 awarded MC in the Field; 01Mar1917 MID; 19/20Apr1917 WIA, GSW right foot; RTA 30Jan1918 for leave; returns from Australia 07Jun1918; to T/Capt 14Apr1919; RTA 28Jul1919; 11Nov1919 appointment terminated.

With research.