General News
15 June, 2024
Veterans' Voices: John (Jack) Leslie Davey
Jack Leslie Davey was born and lived in Horsham. His father was J. Davey of Bailey Street, Horsham.
Before enlistment on June 24 1915 in Broadmeadows, Jack was a storekeeper/draper. He was aged 22 years and five months and assigned service number 264.
He was a private who served in the Hospital Transport Corps of the Army Medical Corp.
He served in this corps from May 1915 to September 1918 on duty at Australian General Base Depot (AGBD), and was stationed on clearing or hospital ships.
His unit embarked from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova on July 17 1915, at which time Australia had been at war for 343 days.
Jack and the other volunteers were bound for Egypt and beyond, where they would make their final preparations for war.
He was temporarily attached to 7th Field Ambulance for duty at AGBD, and served at No 11 Australian General Hospital (AGH) on August 31 1916.
He returned to Australia with Army Medical Corps (AMC), in Sydney embarking on Transport Number 1 Hospital Ship A61 Kanowna to again pick up injured personnel.
Jack sailed from Suez aboard Kawowna on duty, docking in Melbourne on September 22 1915.
Jack embarked on Karoo on September 18 1916 from 3rd Military District in Melbourne, where he had been appointed sergeant, and disembarked in Plymouth on November 15.
On November 30 he sailed from AMC No 2 Camp Parkhouse, Folkestone, to France aboard SS Princess Victoria.
Jack - at this time a sergeant - was taken on strength on December 1 by 7th Field Ambulance from AGBD Estaples. They were to reinforce 2nd Division.
He was transferred to 2nd AMC on December 5. From AGBD France it was reported that Jack was temporarily attached to AMC 7th Field Ambulance on December 6 1916.
He was taken on strength ex AMC to AGBD on January 7 1917.
On January 24 Jack was detached for temporary duty with Corps Theatre and placed on a supernumerary list of 7th Field Ambulance. Throughout 1917 he served with 7th Field Ambulance.
He was attached to Anzac Corp on February 2 1917, and served as a sergeant with AMC Corps on November 10 1918. From December 22 1918 until January 5 1919 Jack took leave.
On February 2 1919 his attachment ceased and he rejoined 5th Field Ambulance. From March 19 until March 23 when he was again attached to 7th Field Ambulance for duty.
On April 5 Jack was marched in, ex France, and sailed from England for Australia on May 12 aboard SS Port Napier.
He disembarked on July 2 1919 and was discharged on September 1 while serving with 7th Field Ambulance. He was invalided TPE at 3rd Military District
Jack's medals were the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
He married Mary Stoddart Fenton, and died in Hamilton in 1970.
Jack was not only a soldier but also a talented entertainer and baritone singer.
He was a member of the Anzac Coves, an Australian Pierrot entertainment troupe consisting entirely of soldiers.
The troupe was established after the Gallipoli campaign and performed in many places on the Western Front, in barns and sheds, often just behind the trenches.
With a lively sense of humour, the troupe satirised military life.
The Coves were so popular they toured Britain in 1918, playing in the King's Court and Ambassador theatres and at Buckingham Palace before King George V, Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.