Joseph Davidson (1888-1969)
Teacher served with DLI and became a sergeant
Joseph Davidson was born in Penrith, Cumberland, in 1888. He moved to County Durham where he worked as a teacher, living in Sacriston and West Hartlepool.
He enlisted 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI), known as the Durham Pals, on 21 December 1914. He enlisted in Durham and joined as private 18/988 in C Company.
Davidson served in Egypt and France and was wounded on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. According to the Bede Magazine of December 1916, Davidson was “wounded in both hands”.
After returning from hospital he was posted to 2nd DLI and then attached to II Corps Headquarters. After this, he was put to the 46th Divisional Bath Unit and later to 2nd Divisional Reinforcement Camp. He was finally attached to the 1/1st Yorks.
At some stage of his service, he was promoted on a number of occasions, finally to sergeant. At the end of his military service he went back to 18th DLI and then to Class Z Reserve the 15 February 1919.
Joseph Davidson died in Durham in 1969, aged 80.
Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert
Birth date: 30-Sep-1888
Death date: 18-Oct-1969
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Edenhall, Penrith, Cumberland (1891, 1901 census)
7 Craiglands, Sacriston (1911 census), boarder in Scorer’s family house
Mill House Hark, West Hartlepool, County Durham (1919)
5, Craiglands, Sacriston (1927)
Education: Bede College (1908-1910)
Employment: Assistant teacher (census 1911)
Schoolmaster (1914)
Family: Wife: Agnes Ethel Sedgwick, married in 1943
Father: George William Davidson
Mother: Barbara
Siblings: Frances, William
Military service:
Private/ Corporal/ Sergeant
Regimental number: 18/988
C Company 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
2nd DLI; II Corps Headquarters; 46th Divisional Bath Unit; 2nd Divisional Reinforcement Camp; 1/1st Yorks; Class Z Reserve
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
1915 Star
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Sheen | Durham at War Volunteer
