1st V.B. Hereford.
 

This photograph appears to be of a young lad called Archibald Davies of Kington, Herefordshire. His shoulder titles are indistinct but appear to read. Hereford 1V.

Can we se the whole photo please.

Of course.

Thanks for posting. Nice photo.

Surely its HEREFORD/1/V

regards

Indeed it is, I have now corrected it.

I have undertaken some further research and found his service papers.

He is shown on the 1901 census as living with his step mother at Oxford Terrace, Kington, Herefordshire. In 1911 he is a joiner, living in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and in December 1915 he enlists in the R.E. as a Sapper with the service number 184903 and remains in England until 1917. He receives 14 days detention for striking a superior officer in February 1917 and by June 1917 he is in France. In November 1918 he is home on leave and dies of Influenza on the 11th November.

I went to the cemetery in Shrewsbury this morning and found Archibald Davies's grave. As he had no immediate family as he was both orphaned and unmarried, it probably had not been specifically visited in a very long time.

Well done, Simon; great bit of research. Thanks for sharing.

Passed away on Armistice Day! Poor chap.

Regards,

JT

Thank you J.T.

For some reason, out of all the hundreds of soldiers that I have researched over the years, Archbald Davies stands out. Maybe it is the timing of his death or his having had no family to mourn his passing, just the love of his fiancé. (I haven't yet checked to see if she ever married.)

It is this form in particular that brings it home.

Very moving indeed. Perhaps you might keep us posted on any further ‘discoveries’?

Thanks again, Simon.

JT