Service Number: 804
Rank: Lance Corporal
Roll Title: 39 Infantry Battalion
Date of Embarkation: 27th May 1916
Place of Embarkation: Melbourne
Ship Embarked on: HMAT Ascanius A11
Age: 24 years
Born: 1891, Armadale, Victoria
Father: George Schoen Davies, Llanfygne, Tooronga Road, Malvern, Victoria.
Mother: Jessie Agnes (MacMurtrie)
Religion: Presbyterian
Occupation: Farmer
Residence: Jesmond Dene, Officer, Victoria.
Joined AIF: 25th February 1916
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Complexion: Medium, Eyes-Fair, Hair-Fair
London Gazette – 20th August 1919
Awarded the Military medal. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned-
No 804 Sergeant Basil Raynor Davies, 39th Battalion.
For gallant conduct and devotion to duty during the period 16 September 1918. To November 11, 1918.
Sergeant Davies did excellent work on the 18th September, 1918, at Bony. He was sent in charge of a patrol to go forward to the canal. His control came under heavy Machine gun fire, but in spite of this he pushed on and gained very valuable information regarding the location of enemy machine gun. He was also successful in keeping his patrol together, having no casualties.
The above has been promulgated in “Commonwealth of Australia Gazette” No 135, dated 11 December 1919.
Basil returned to Australia on 5th April 1919 and was discharged from the AIF 12th July 1919. Basil would go on to receive the British War Medal on 9th September 1921 and would later receive the Victory Medal on 28th February 1923.
The Age – 2nd July 1940
Artist Marries.
The marriage of Mrs Lanfear Thompson, who is a well known as the artist Madge Freeman, to Mr Basil R Davies, Coongarra, Longwarry North, Gippsland, was celebrated at St Andrews Church, Bendigo Yesterday. The bride is the only daughter of Mrs G Freeman Barkley Place, and the late G H Freeman.
At the ceremony, which was attended only by close relatives she wore a teal blue ensemble and a hat of matching flowers, from which hung a shoulder length veil. Her accessories were navy blue, and she had a spray of orchids pinned at the shoulder of her coat. Dr V Davies was best man.
Basil and Frances Margot lived in Longwarry Victoria farming Ayrshire cattle for many years, they eventually retired to live in Ivanhoe.
Basil died on the 3rd August 1979 in Thornbury. His body was received at Department of Anatomy, University of Melbourne on 6th August 1979.
