Harry Davies
Date of death: 29.12.1941
Area: Wakefield
Regiment: Royal Corps of Signals
Family information: Son of John William and Rose Hannah Davies of Crofton
Rank: Signalman
Service number: 2329079
War Service
Born on 17th September 1921, Harry was one of nine children. There were 5 boys and 4 girls in the family, but one sister died at the age of five. They lived in Claremont Crescent and Harry attended Crofton School between the ages of 3 and 14 years.
Harry was slightly built, of medium height and was described as a quiet boy, who liked to play cricket. His most striking feature was his red hair which gave rise to his nickname of “Ginner”.
Harry joined the army in 1938, as a seventeen year old. He was stationed at Aldershot and trained as a motor cycle despatch rider.
On the 29th of December 1941 Harry was asked by his friend, who was due to take a message to Catterick, to cover for him. It was a foggy night when Harry reached Catterick. He collided with an unlit, stationary army vehicle and was killed. He was buried in Crofton Churchyard on 2nd January 1942.
One of Harry’s brothers, Stan, was a farrier with the Royal Horse Artillery and his brother, John, served with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was in Iceland at the time of Harry’s death so was unable to be with the family for the funeral. Harry’s mother never celebrated Christmas after his death.
