DAVIDSON, JOHN HUMPHREY, Lieutenant,
was born 24 July 1876, son of George Walter Davidson, of 167, Queen's Gate,
South Kensington, London. He was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst;
entered King's Royal Rifle Corps, as Second Lieutenant, 28 March 1896; became
Lieutenant 15 October 1898; Captain 25 October 1901; served in the South
African War, as Regimental Officer and subsequently as Divisional Signalling
Officer (graded Staff Captain), 1899-1902; as Adjutant, Damant's Horse (from
December 1901 to 31 May 1902); during operations in Natal, 1899, including
action at Talana; was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including operations
at Colenso, also of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop, and of 5
to 7 February 1900; on Tugela Heights (14 to 27 February 1900), and action at
Pieter's Hill; during operations in Natal, March to June, 1900, including
action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 June); during operations in the Transvaal, east
of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Belfast, 26 and 27
August and Lydenberg (5 to 8 September). During operations in the Transvaal,
30 November 1901; in the operations in Orange River Colony, December 1901 to
March, 1902; during operations in the Zululand Frontier of Natal, September
and October 1901; during operations in Cape Colony, 1902. He was mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; received the Queen's Medal and
seven clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of
the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "John
Humphrey Davidson, Lieutenant, King's Royal Rifle Corps. In recognition of
services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were sent
to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented by the GOC, Natal.
He was Adjutant, 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, 3 September 1902 to 2
September 1905. After passing through the Staff College, 1906-07, he was
appointed GSO, 3rd Grade, HQ of Army, and GSO, 3rd Grade, War Office, 1 April,
1908 to 31 March, 1910; promoted Brigade Major, 5th Brigade, Aldershot
Command, 1 April 1910 to 31 March 1912; received the Brevet of Major 10 May
1913; became Major, King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1 April 1914; appointed GSO, 2nd
Grade, Staff College, 16 April 1912 to 15 May 1914, when he rejoined his
regiment at Aldershot. He served in the European War from August 1914; was
GSO, 2nd Grade, 5 August 1914 to 14 July 1915; Brevet of Colonel; Temporary
Brigadier General 18 February 1915; GSO, 1st Grade, 15 July 1915 to 21
December 1915; Brigadier General, GS, BEF, British Armies in France, 22
December 1915 to 13 March, 1918; Major General, GS, GHQ, British Armies in
France, 14 March 1918. He was promoted to Major General, 1 January 1918;
created a CB in 1917, and a KCMG in 1917. For his services in the European
War he also received the Legion of Honour (Croix d'Officier), in 1915;
promoted to Commandeur, 1916; Croix de Guerre, 1917; Belgian Croix de Couronne,
Commandeur, 1916; Croix de Guerre, (Belgian), 1916; Croix de Guerre (French),
second citation, 1919; American Distinguished Service Medal, 1919. Sir John
Davidson was MP for the Fareham division of Hants since 1918. He married, in
1905, Margaret, youngest daughter of J P Grant, of Rothiemurchus, and they
have one daughter, Diana.
KCMG, CB (m),
DSO, QSA (7), KSA (2), 1914 Star and Bar, BWM, Victory Medal with MID,
Legion dHonneur (France) 3rd Class, Croix de Guerre (France),
Order of the Crown (Belgium) 3rd Class, Croix de Guerre (Belgium,
Distinguished Service Medal (USA).
Regimental Museum
Winchester 1996.
