Thomas H Davidson was Mary Adams’ nephew who grew up in Tullylish near Gilford, Co. Down.
He enlisted in the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1902, serving in South Africa (1903), Egypt (1903-05), Crete (1907-08) and Malta (1908-09). He disembarked in France with the B.E.F. on 27 August 1914 when he was appointed as L/Cpl. He was wounded in France on 7 November 1914 and was discharged on termination of his period of service on 6 November 1915.
His disciplinary record in the “Skins” was patchy, and he was reduced from L/Cpl to Private a couple of times due to drunkenness.
[postcard to Mrs John Adams, Kingsmill, White Cross, Co. Armagh, Ireland]
[possibly postmarked Aug 12 1914 – fits with history of Royal Inniskillings]
Dear Aunt just a PC to let you know I am at Lough Swilly, hoping all is well, if you be writing my address so far is 7388 Pte T Davidson, D Company, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, [Pubble????] Camp, Co. Donegal.
[YMCA paper]
[to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
7388 Lce Cpl T Davidson
Roy. Innis. Fusrs.
Caserne Traupel [Traupel Barracks]
Rouen
France
31.12.14
Dear Aunt
Just a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter, which I received alright and was pleased to see by it that youse are all enjoying good health. As for myself I am still enjoying the usual health and you know it has always been good, thank God for it. I am also pleased to hear of John getting home for a few days although it might be a while before he comes out here, and perhaps he may not have to come at all, but if he does I might see him somewhere. You might let me know what Regiment he belongs to and the date he expects to come out on.
I suppose he is the only one from about there that he knows, coming out. I am sorry to hear of W McKnight but as you say I must have been in the hospital for was talking to him the day before I got wounded and he was in good spirits and healthy. We were talking about you and all the people I knew around that way. I was asking him if he knew John and James. I will try and find out all about him although it will be difficult as those who were beside him might be away themselves. If you see them you might give them my heart-felt sympathy hoping they will soon get over their sad bereavement.
And as you say it was a dull Xmas. We will live with God’s help to enjoy a better one next year. I have not much more to say at present. Hoping this finds youse all in good health, I will close by bidding youse all good bye to I hear from you. Wishing youse all a prosperous New Year 1915.
From your ever loving nephew
T Davidson
[William McKnight was John Adams’s cousin, killed in 1914 – reference: History of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial near Ypres.]
Postmark: Omagh, 5 November 1915
Dear Aunt
Just a line to say I have arrived here & in good health. Will write later. Hoping all is in good health.
From your ever loving nephew,
THD
Postcard shows:
“Second Presbyterian Church, Omagh”, a view of the stone church, with pinnacles and an open belfry. The bell is missing.
Now known as Trinity Presbyterian Church: Google StreetView
7388 L/Cpl T.H. Davidson was discharged from the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on termination of his engagement on 6 November 1915, at the age of 32.
Thomas H Davidson was Mary Adams’ nephew who grew up in Tullylish near Gilford, Co. Down. He enlisted in the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1902, serving in South Africa (1903), Egypt (1903-05), Crete (1907-08) and Malta (1908-09). He returned back to the UK in 1909, and was transferred to the Army Reserve.
On outbreak of war, he was mobilized at Omagh (the Inniskillings’ depot) on 6 August 1914, and sent to camp at Lough Swilly where he was posted to 3rd Battalion on 19th August. He disembarked in France with the 2nd Battalion as part of the B.E.F. on 27 August 1914 when he was appointed as L/Cpl. He was wounded in France on 7 November 1914. He remained in France until 31 October 1915.
Thomas Davidson joined the 2nd “Skins” the day after the Battle of Le Cateau when the battalion were fast retreating from the advancing Germans. The battalion were then involved in the Battles of the Marne, the Aisne and Messines 1914. In 1915 they were actively involved in the Battle of Festubert in May and the Battle of Loos in September. Davidson was likely to have been involved in most of these engagements.
He was posted back to the Depot on 1 November 1915 before being “discharged on termination of his first period of engagement” on 6 November 1915. He had served for 13 years.
Notes
Up until the introduction of conscription by the passing of the Military Service Act of 1916, a man who had served under a Regular or Territorial engagement and who reached the normal expiry of that engagement could and would be discharged from the army. This even applied to experienced men who were serving in the trenches at the time. The man was known as “time expired”. (thanks to the Long Long Trail for this information).
Undated, unaddressed postcard. Possibly included with a letter.
This is a boy I am bringing home for Annie, hoping she will like him.
From THD. Ha ha.
Postcard shows a soldier, unnamed (possibly Davidson himself?) standing face on to the camera, Baldrick-like.
