| James Davison was the son of Andrew and Clara Davison. Andrew Davison married Clara Williamson on 6th October 1885 in the Magherafelt area. Andrew Davison was born in Ireland on 6th March 1855. Clara Williamson was born in England on 23rd December 1855.
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| James Davison was born on 3rd June 1887 in Moneymore.
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| The family name changes from Davison to Davidson throughout. For clarity, the CWGC spelling of Davison is used.
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| Family: Andrew Davison, Clara Davison, Andrew Davison (born 18th December 1885, Moneymore), James Davison (born 3rd June 1887, Moneymore), Robert Davison (born 24th May 1888, Moneymore), William Davison (born 13th June 1889, Moneymore), Clara Davison (born 8th June 1891, Moneymore).
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| The family emigrated to Canada in 1895.
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| The 1901 Canadian Census lists the family living in The Territories, Alberta, Strathcona West. James was 13 years old. His father was a carpenter. William, who would have been about 11 years old, was not living with the family.
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| James lived and worked in Calgary as a travelling salesman for the W H Malkin Company of Vancouver before his enlistment.
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| James had already served six years with the 19th Alberta Dragoons as a Quarter Master Sergeant before enlisting.
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| James enlisted in Montreal on 27th December 1915. He was 28 years old. He named his father as his next of kin, who was living in Chilliwack, British Columbia.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 18th November 1916:
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| Sergeant Davidson, who came over to England with the Canadian contingent, paid a visit to his relatives at Drumrott this week
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| There was both a Davison family and a Davidson family living in Drumrott at the time of the 1911 census.
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| Private James Davison was serving with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) when he died of gunshot wounds on 31st October 1917. He was 30 years old.
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| The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private Davison died of wounds. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and head, along with a concussion. He died at No 44 Casualty Clearing Station on 31st October 1917.
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| From the Chilliwack Progress dated 17th January 1918: Private James Davidson
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| Private James Davidson, son of Mr and Mrs Andrew Davidson, of Chilliwack, who died of wounds received in action on 31st October 1917. Private Davidson was 28 years old when he made the supreme sacrifice. He was born at Moneymore, County Derry, Ireland, but came to Canada with his parents some 22 years ago. At the time of enlistment Private Davidson was travelling representative in Alberta for W H Malkin Co., of Vancouver, and was a valued employee of that firm. This firm mailed to each of their customers in Alberta a neat card bearing the following message:-
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| ‘It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death in France from gunshot wounds of James Davidson, who called on you for us for so many years. Jimmy was your friend and our friend, and his loss will be mourned all over Alberta, where he was known so well. He did his duty; may we do ours as well as he did.’
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| Mr Davidson visited his parents here on various occasions, who held him in very special parental esteem, who feel keenly their loss, but whose conception of patriotic duty is expressed in the works of the deceased’s father when he says:-
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| ‘Both his mother and I would rather lose our boy in the Empire’s fight, than have one who would not go.’
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| Private Davison is buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, Belgium.
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| Private James Davison is commemorated on Moneymore War Memorial (Assembly Rooms) and First Presbyterian Roll of Honour, Moneymore.
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| The CWGC record Private James Davison as the son of Andrew and Clara Davison, of 1817, 4th Avenue East, Vancouver, British Columbia.
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