27470 Private Francis Edward Davis, (1/3/1896-7/6/1917). "death overtook him"

PRIVATE DAVIS. 

Amongst those who were killed in action in the battle of Messines was Private Francis Edward Davis, eldest son of Mr F. E. Davis, of Roslyn. Private Davis was educated at the Kaikorai School and the Boys' High School, and he subsequently entered the service of the Railway Department, being employed in both the Port Chalmers and Dunedin railway stations. He was of a courteous and obliging disposition, and was very highly thought of by his senior officers, and by all with whom he came in contact. In his private life he had many friends, by all of whom he will be greatly missed. He was only 18 years of age at the time of his enlistment in the Seventeenth Reinforcements, and when death overtook him in the service of his country he was but a few months over 19. He went forward with the full and free sanction of his father, who was for many years a member of one of the local artillery units, and who also underwent a term of service last year with the forces stationed in Samoa. The family of the deceased soldier have received numerous kindly expressions of sympathy.

   

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.