World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award on May 23, 1918 for his actions on March 24, 1918 near Eppeville, France during World War I. Born in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, he joined the British Army during World War I and served as a corporal in the 11th Service Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Volunteers). While engaging the enemy on March 24, 1918 in an effort to allow his unit to withdraw from advancing forces, he was captured and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland. He was reported killed in action until after his Victoria Cross was awarded, when he was able to write home to his parents. He is believed to be the only person to have been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross while still living. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 24 March 1918 near Eppeville, France, when his company was ordered to withdraw, Corporal Davies knew that the only line of withdrawal lay through a deep stream lined with a belt of barbed wire and that it was imperative to hold up the enemy as long as possible. He mounted the parapet in full view of the enemy in order to get a more effective field of fire and kept his Lewis gun in action to the last, causing many enemy casualties and enabling part of his company to get across the river, which they would otherwise have been unable to do." He died in St. Helens, Lancashire, England at the age of 60.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award on May 23, 1918 for his actions on March 24, 1918 near Eppeville, France during World War I. Born in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, he joined the British Army during World War I and served as a corporal in the 11th Service Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Volunteers). While engaging the enemy on March 24, 1918 in an effort to allow his unit to withdraw from advancing forces, he was captured and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland. He was reported killed in action until after his Victoria Cross was awarded, when he was able to write home to his parents. He is believed to be the only person to have been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross while still living. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "On 24 March 1918 near Eppeville, France, when his company was ordered to withdraw, Corporal Davies knew that the only line of withdrawal lay through a deep stream lined with a belt of barbed wire and that it was imperative to hold up the enemy as long as possible. He mounted the parapet in full view of the enemy in order to get a more effective field of fire and kept his Lewis gun in action to the last, causing many enemy casualties and enabling part of his company to get across the river, which they would otherwise have been unable to do." He died in St. Helens, Lancashire, England at the age of 60.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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