Donald Hamilton Davie

Private Donald Hamilton Davie – Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 5^th Battalion

Early Life

Donald Hamilton Davie

Donald Hamilton Davie was born in 1895 in Swansea, the son of George Washington Davie and Susan Easton Johnston. His parents were married in 1878 at Ystradyfodwg, Glamorganshire.

1901 Census

According to the 1901 Census, the Davie family were living at 210 Eaton Crescent, Swansea. George W. Davie, aged 45, was a Colliery Owner from Pontypridd, while his wife, Susan E., aged 43, was born in Scotland. Their children at that time were Annie W. (21); William S. (19), who was employed as a Colliery Agent’s Clerk; James J. (17); George W. (15); Kate E. M. (13); Archibald N. (11); Grace E. (9); Donald H. (6); Susan D. (3); and Robert G. (1).
Also living in the household was Annie Brock, aged 19, who worked as a General Servant.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the Davie family had moved to Normarhurst, Langland Road, Mumbles. George W., now aged 55, was a Colliery Sales Agent, and Susan, aged 53, was at home. Their children still residing with them were William S. (29), a Coal Merchant; George W. (25), a Colliery Sales Agent; Kate E. M. (23); Grace E. (19); Donald H. (16); Dorothy (13); and Robert G. (11). The three youngest children were still attending school.

Military Service

When the First World War broke out in 1914, Donald Hamilton Davie, then aged 19, enlisted at Inverness, joining the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 5th Battalion, as a Private.

The Cameron Highlanders drew many of their recruits from Scotland and were known for their loyalty and courage in battle. The 5th Battalion formed part of the 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division, one of the first volunteer divisions to serve on the Western Front.

Following training, Donald was posted to France, where his battalion took part in one of the earliest and bloodiest British offensives of the war — the Battle of Loos.

The 5^th Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders – Actions on 25^th September 1915

On 25^th September 1915, the 5^th Camerons took part in the opening assault of the Battle of Loos. They were positioned within the 26^th Brigade, 9^th (Scottish) Division, under Major-General George Thesiger, forming the left centre of the British attack near Loos-en-Gohelle and Hill 70 in the Pas-de-Calais.

At 6:30 a.m., after a long artillery bombardment and the release of chlorine gas—used for the first time by the British Army on such a scale—the men went “over the top.” The 5th Camerons advanced in support of the 7^th Seaforth Highlanders and 8th Black Watch. Despite gas blowing back into some of the British lines, the Scottish battalions pushed forward through heavy shell and machine-gun fire.

By mid-morning, the assaulting troops had captured Loos village and advanced toward Hill 70, a key German defensive position. The 5th Camerons moved in to consolidate and hold the newly won ground but met fierce resistance from enemy fire. They endured intense fighting in the ruined streets and suffered heavy casualties from shellfire and counter-attacks.

As the day went on, the 9th (Scottish) Division became isolated on the slopes of Hill 70, exposed to relentless artillery fire and cut off from reinforcements. By late afternoon, with mounting losses, the division was forced to withdraw from much of the ground it had taken.

The 5^th Camerons lost hundreds of men killed, wounded, or missing that day — including Private Donald Hamilton Davie, aged just 20. Though the attack achieved a temporary breakthrough, it came at a terrible cost.

Death

Private Donald Hamilton Davie was killed in action on 25^th September 1915, during the Battle of Loos, one of the first major British offensives of the war. Like so many others who fell that day, his body was never recovered from the battlefield.

Burial

As Private Donald Hamilton Davie has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, located in the Dud Corner Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. The memorial bears the names of more than 20,000 British soldiers who died in the 1915 battles of Loos and have no known resting place.

Legacy

Herald of Wales 

Private Donald Hamilton Davie is remembered as one of the many young men from Mumbles who gave their lives in the early years of the First World War. His death was reported in the Herald of Wales in October 1915, reflecting the profound impact of his loss on his family and community.

He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France and on the memorial of the former Methodist Church, Mumbles, which honours local men who fell during the Great War. His name also appears on local Mumbles memorials dedicated to those who served and sacrificed for their country.

Donald’s story reflects the bravery of a young man from Swansea who left a peaceful life in Mumbles to fight with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 5th Battalion, giving his life in one of the defining battles of the early war years.