Thomas Edward George Davis, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion

Second Lieutenant Thomas Edward George Davis, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 2^nd Battalion

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Edward George Davis was born in 1887 in Oystermouth, the son of Thomas Davis, a house decorator and Baptist minister, and Margaret A. Davies, who served as Sub-Postmistress.

1891 Census

The 1891 Census records the Davis family living at “Current Tree,” Oystermouth. Thomas Davis, aged 38, born in Devon, was working as a House Decorator & Baptist Minister, while his wife Margaret, aged 37, was employed as a Sub-Postmistress. Their children present were Susan F. (15), working as a clerk; Annie (14), attending school; Lilly S. (13), a monitress at school; George B. (10), at school; and Thomas E. G. (4).

1901 Census

By 1901, the family had moved to 16 Victoria Avenue, Oystermouth. Thomas, now 48, was solely serving as a Baptist Minister, and Margaret, aged 47, continued as Sub-Postmistress. Their adult children still at home included Susan (25), a Post Office Clerk; Annie (23); Lily (22), a Schoolmistress; George (20), a House Decorator; and Thomas, then 14.

Thomas later obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wales, indicating strong academic achievement. In 1915, he married Lilian Martha Brickwood Figgins at Portsmouth, shortly before or during the early phase of his military service.

Military Service

Thomas served as a Second Lieutenant in the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, a regular battalion engaged continuously on the Western Front.

The 2^nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers – May 1917

By late May 1917, the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was serving with the 19^th (Western) Division in the Arras sector, an area marked by almost continuous action following the Battle of Arras (April–May 1917). The battalion occupied front-line and support trenches near St. Laurent-Blangy, opposite strong German defensive positions consisting of fortified trenches, machine-gun emplacements, and deep dugouts.

On 27^th May 1917, the battalion endured heavy German artillery bombardment, including high-explosive and shrapnel shells that caused extensive damage to forward positions. This period involved constant strain:
repairing shattered trenches, maintaining communication lines, overseeing working parties, and managing troop rotations under fire. Enemy snipers and harassing machine-gun fire added to the daily threat. Casualties were frequent even outside major attacks, and on this date the battalion recorded several officers and men killed or wounded during these hazardous holding operations.

Second Lieutenant Thomas Edward George Davis was among those who lost their lives amid this dangerous routine of trench warfare.

Death and Burial

Thomas Edward George Davis
Bailleul Road East Cemetery,
St. Laurent-Blangy, France
credit - findagrave

Thomas was killed in action on 27^th May 1917. He is buried at Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, France, not far from the front-line positions where he served with his battalion. His grave stands as a testament to his service and sacrifice.