10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
08/11/1896
Died:
02/12/1917 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
21
Summary
Robert Davison was a son of Robert and Sarah Jane Davison. Robert was born at Lisalbanagh, Moneymore on 8th November 1896. The family had a farm in Lisalbanagh, Brackaghslievegallion, Moneymore, County Londonderry. Robert worked for a time as a Draper's Assistant He volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war and enlisted at Finner Camp in County Donegal, joining ‘D’ Company of the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 24th September 1914. Private Robert Davison served in France and saw much fighting, and was twice gassed, being invalided home.He returned to France after a short leave in July 1917. He was then wounded while in action at Ypres on 10th August. Private Robert Davison died of an illness on 2nd December 1917 at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, on 2nd December 1917.
Further Information
Robert Davison was a son of Robert and Sarah Jane Davison. Robert Davison married Sarah Marshall in Cookstown on 15th November 1892.
Robert was born at Lisalbanagh, Moneymore on 8th November 1896.
Family: Robert Davison, Sarah Jane Davison, William Davison (born 14th July 1894), Robert Davison (born 8th November 1896), Margret Jane Davison (born 7th January 1900), John Davison (born 30th April 1902), Thomas Orr Davison (born 4th May 1904).
The 1901 census lists Robert as age 4 living with the family at house 5 in Lisalbanagh, Brackaghslievegallion, Moneymore, County Londonderry. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Robert as age 15 at house 6 in Lisalbanagh, Brackagh Slieve Gallion, Londonderry. Robert had left school and was working on the farm.
Robert worked for a time as a Draper's Assistant
He volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war and enlisted at Finner Camp in County Donegal, joining ‘D’ Company of the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 24th September 1914.
Private Robert Davison served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from September 1915 and saw much fighting, and was twice gassed, being invalided home.
The newspaper report below mentions Megargy and that townland borders on Brackaghslievegallion.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th October 1915: Magherafelt
At the last monthly meeting of Megargy L.O.L. No 268, Pride of Ulster, it was unanimously decided to forward Br. Robert Davison, who is at present with the Ulster Division at the front, a wristlet watch as a small memento of their brotherly affection, together with an expression of their wish that he may be spared to return to his native lodge at the termination of the war.
He returned to France after a short leave in July 1917.
Private Robert Davison was then wounded while in action at Ypres on 10th August.
Private Robert Davison died of an illness at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone on 2nd December 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 6th December 1917:
Robert (Bob) Davidson, died at Folkestone on 2nd December of wounds received in action, was the second son of Mr Bob Davidson, Lisalbanagh, Magherafelt.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th December 1918:
DAVIDSON – In loving remembrance of Robert (Bob), second son of Robert Davidson, who died on 2nd December 1917 at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone (Kent), from wounds received in action in defence of his country, with the Ulster Division in France, and was interred in the family burying ground, St John’s Churchyard, Moneymore, aged 21 years.
‘It is God who gives, and now he takes,
The gift he gave in love;
He knows the dearly prized on earth,
He is better loved above.
Tis sweet to know we’ll meet again,
Where parting is no more;
And that the one we loved so well,
Has only gone before.’
‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ John 15:13
Ever remembered by his parents, sisters and brothers. Lisalbanagh House, Magherafelt.
Private Robert Davison is buried in Desertlyn Churchyard, Moneymore.
From De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour Volume 2, page 72 – Robert Davidson
DAVIDSON, ROBERT, Private, No. 15452, 10th (Service) Battalion. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd son of Robert Davidson, of Lisalbanagh House. Magherafelt. Farmer, by his wife. Sarah, daughter of John Marshall, b. Magherafelt, Co Derry, 7 Nov. I896 , educated there; was a Draper's .Assistant ; volunteered for active service on the outbreak of war and joined the Inniskillings 24 Sept. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Sept. 1915; saw much fighting, and was twice gassed, being invalided home, returned to France after a short leave in July, 1917, and died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, 2 Dec. following, of wounds received in action at Ypres 10 August previously.
