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Rory,

I don't think these are late issues because he was named on the original rolls and would, I think, have received his medals with the other ILH officers and men. Late issues usually have a QSA/Supplementary/KSA roll page to themselves or a small number of people and those pages are dated later than the main roll pages.

Best wishes
David

Good Morning Everyone.......

This Obit states that he died in a nursing home in England......

Mike


THE ARGUS OF MELBOURNE

The death is announced of Colonel Walter Karri Davies, in a London nursing home.

Colonel Davies was educated at Scotch College, and at the time of his death he was aged 59 years. Although his last illness was of brief duration, he had for years been in somewhat indifferent health indirectly caused by the severe wounds that he received in the Boer War. Colonel Davies was a son of the late Mr M. C. Davies, owner of the Jarrah and Karri Timber Mills (now merged into Millar's Jarrah and Karri Co), situated about nine miles from the Leeuwin (Western Australia). It was in the business interests of his father that Colonel Davies went to South Africa, and during a residence of more than 20 years in that country he succeeded in helping to establish firmly the sale of West Australian timber on the South African market. Colonel Davies, who was a personal friend of Cecil Rhodes, took part in the Jameson Raid. He was captured by Kruger's forces, and sentenced to imprisonment for two years. Writing to his friends at the time, he said that he was treated very well during his imprisonment. He did not serve the full term. When the Boer War broke out Major Davies (as he was then) and Major Sampson recruited the Imperial Light Horse, 500 strong, and for this body they provided the entire equipment at their own expense. Colonel Davies went through the siege of Ladysmith, and it was during the siege that he received the severe wounds from which he never completely recovered. There has always been a dispute as to who was the first to enter Mafeking when the siege of that city was raised. It is claimed that the distinction belonged to Colonel Davies, who was accompanied by six troopers of the Imperial Light Horse. In 1914 he returned to Australia after an absence of 20 years, and when the Great War broke out he offered for active service. The lmperial authorities, however, decided to appoint him as provost marshall at San Francisco. Colonel Davies, who was a brother of Mrs Joseph Levi, of Trawalla avenue, Toorak, leaves a widow, two daughters, and one son. The members of the family live in London.

Hello all,

Just back from a weekend in London - not a medal in sight! Thanks to all the contributions to the thread, very interesting.

These are definitely late issues - the naming style is consistent with the BWM and the unit abbreviation is not one I've noted for the ILH on a QSA or KSA. I don't think the unit number is on any QSA or KSA named at the time. The MIC clearly shows these medals being issued in 1926

What is confusing and not clear from the roll because it is such poor shape is why he did not receive any medals at the time - there is no record of them being returned as is often noted on the rolls. Did his attitude to the war and noted service for no reward - turning down the VC and CB, also mean he turned down the QSA and KSA? If so there would have been correspondence - in the Important Decision book perhaps?

Regards
Meurig

djb wrote: Rory,

I don't think these are late issues because he was named on the original rolls and would, I think, have received his medals with the other ILH officers and men. Late issues usually have a QSA/Supplementary/KSA roll page to themselves or a small number of people and those pages are dated later than the main roll pages.

Best wishes
David

Now officially Karri-Davies, the family is still prominent in Western Australia, and a little of the family history is given on this website:

www.margaretriver.com/operators/7411

Brett

Thanks Brett. I wonder if the family will bid on the medals?

David
My Librarian friend is keeping the family informed. I hope that the medals do find a permanent home at Margaret River, where they might become a catalyst for a fitting and long overdue memorial to the Major. He made a bad blunder early in the Siege of Ladysmith, which he quickly acknowledged - unlike some other officers in that War - and I believe that it was this mistake that made him turn down awards. Over all, he proved himself to be a courageous and dedicated soldier, who did much to enhance the reputation of the ILH. I am an admirer - as you might have guessed!
Regards
Brett