Family Mystery - Frederick Davis KIA at Dunkirk

Evening all

I’m helping (or at the moment failing to help) a friend track down information about his Great Uncle who was killed at Dunkirk. I’m told his name was Frederick Davis and he was 19 when he was killed. However, I can find no record of him on the CWGC site.

Its a common name, but his brother was Bertram Frederick Davis (born 9 Feb 1914) and his mother’s maiden name was Furneaux. Both a bit more unusual. I’ve been through ancestry but can find no record of Frederick. But the family are sure he existed. Apparently a photo of the grave has been seen, but they don’t have it.

Could anyone help me find him please? It would be really appreciated by the family.

Thanks

James

 

I am not an expert on the campaign in France, but my understanding is that the Army only deployed regular and territorial formations to France.

As Guy's post (next) shows extending the age range works! I only looked at France in 1940.

Do they know anything else? I note nothing about which service he served in or regiment. Might be best to ignore Dunkirk, even France and start with his parents. Location would help, where they lived, died etc. Ask them to search family albums and suitcases in the attic. Get them to write down everything they know, best done individually, not as a joint effort.

 

14498602 Pte. Frederick James DAVIS 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders
1925 - 9th December 1944 Holland aged 19
Son of Joseph and Emily Elizabeth Davis (nee Furniaux) of Bow, London.
Venray War Cemetery

 

From Guys excellent detective work

Kyle

 

This is fantastic!! Thank you so much guys.

The family knew nothing else so the fact you’ve found him is amazing. They will be so pleased

 

At the risk of pushing my luck, does anyone have the war diary for 9 December 1944 please?

 

Courtesy of 15th Scottish War Diaries.co.uk.

 

Thanks very much indeed. The family are so pleased with all of this

 

Hi all, I wondered if Fred appeared on a war memorial anywhere. I’ve been through the IWM records and there are obviously a lot of Davis’s, but nothing obvious jumps out as being my man. Could anyone help please?

Thanks

James

 

Hi James, I send you a personal message. Did you receive it ?

 

The soldier, who was killed and mentioned in this War Diary is not Fred Davis. His name was Bede Mulholland and he was a member of the 10th HLI.

 

The adoptant of Freds grave send me a photo, when they visited his grave.

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2054253/frederick-james-davis/

 

Many thanks Chantal. Long time no see.

 

Hahaha, took me some time to figure out who you are....

Hallo Geert!