Alexander Davidson

Submitted by wollongongcityl... on Wed, 16/04/2014 - 15:20

First Name:

Alexander

Last Name:

Davidson

Date of Birth:

Wednesday, February 19, 1890

Date Enlisted:

Monday, March 6, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lance Corporal

Unit:

56th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, August 4, 1978

Place of Death:

Newcastle, NSW

Details:

Alexander Davidson was one of the many men that enlisted in the war. Born on 19 February 1890 to James Davidson and Lousia Pugh, Alex enlisted in 1916 at the age of 26.

He was a carpenter in Sydney before he enlisted.

Whilst on service, he was in the 56th Battalion and was appointed Lance Corporal in 1917.

Alex regularly wrote postcards to his sister, Lucy (Louisa) from the front.

He was wounded four times in action and each time he re-joined his battalion.

He returned to Australia in 1919 after filling out a demobilisation form stating that return to Australia was desired because his “parents are dependent.”

Following his return, he married Bella Kirkpatrick in 1920.

Davidson died in August, 1978 in Newcastle, NSW.

Alexander’s family are local, Illawarra residents and have kindly shared his story and photos with Wollongong City Libraries.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, DAVIDSON A