Phillip Davey VC MM (1896-1953) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Phillip Davey VC MM

Born 10 Oct 1896 in Unley, South Australia (Australia)

Ancestors

Son of William George Davey and Elizabeth Louisa (O'Neill) Davey

Brother of Arthur George Davey, Richard Davey MM, Claude Davey MM, Joseph Davey, John Hallett Davey, Thurza Rose Herbert Davey, Hilary Ernest Davey and Clara Dorothy Davey

Husband of Eugenie Agnes (Tomlinson) Davey — married 25 Aug 1928 (to 21 Dec 1953) in Toorak, South Australia, Australia

Died 21 Dec 1953 at age 57 in Daw Park, South Australia, Australia

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Profile last modified 13 Jan 2024 | Created 19 Apr 2019

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1 Biography
2 Sources
3 See also

Biography

Phillip Davey VC MM is Notable.

Phillip Davey VC MM was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in battle that can be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of countries comprising the Commonwealth of Nations. He was one of five brothers who would see service in the First World War and one of three who were awarded the Military Medal. Phillip worked in well boring, opal mining in Central Australia and horse driving prior to the First World War, and with the South Australian Railways as a labourer and linesman afterward.

Formative years

Phillip Davey VC MM was born on 10th October 1896 in Unley, South Australia, Australia. He was the fourth son of William George Davey, a carpenter, and his wife Elizabeth O'Neill. ^[1] Phillip attended Flinders Street Model School and Goodwood Public School. After completing his education, he worked as a well borer and at opal mining in Central Australia.

The Great War

Phillip Davey VC MM is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Phillip enlisted on 22nd December 1914 in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), his young nation's all-volunteer expeditionary force for the (First World) War. ^[2] He joined other reinforcements forthe 10th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade, ^[3] embarking for Egypt from Melbourne on 2nd February 1915. The 3rd Brigade was chosen as the covering force for the landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, on 25th April, rowing ashore just before dawn. After several bouts of illness, he was evacuated to Egypt with enteric fever in early November and repatriated to Australia in January 1916. He re-embarked in June, re-joining the 10th Battalion in October, then on the Western Front in France.

Phillip Davey VC MM was wounded at the Western Front during The Great War.

On 15th March 1917, Phillip was accidentally wounded by a bomb (hand grenade) while the battalion was in camp, but returned to duty less than a month later, during the Battle of Arras. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in early May, at which time the battalion was fighting in a support role at Bullecourt. In September, the battalion was committed to the Battle of Menin Road, at Polygon Wood. The following month he was gassed while the 10th Battalion was relieving troops in the front-line near Westhoek Ridge. He once more returned to his unit in early November.

On 3rd January 1918, Davey rescued a wounded soldier under heavy fire, and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. The recommendation read: "On the night of 3 January 1918, near Warneton, when on patrol one of our men was badly wounded by machine gun fire. On seeing this from a forward post, L/Cpl Davey crawled out through our wire to a distance of 60 yards and with another NCO brought in the wounded man. This was done under a bright moon and under heavy enemy machine gun fire. The work of this NCO was greatly admired by his officers and all who witnessed it."^[4]

Victoria Cross

Phillip was promoted to Corporal on 24th April 1918 and later detached to Tidworth in England as an instructor, but returned to his unit at his own request on 23rd June. Five days later, he was with his battalion during a "peaceful penetration" operation near Merris.

His actions in single-handedly eliminating a German machine gun post resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in battle that can be awarded to a member of the Australian armed forces. The citation read: "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. In a daylight operation against the enemy position, his platoon advanced 200 yards, capturing part of the enemy line, and while the platoon was consolidating, the enemy pushed a machine gun forward under cover of a hedge and opened fire from close range, inflicting heavy casualties and hampering work. Alone, Corporal Davey moved forward in the face of a fierce point-blank fire, and attacked the gun with hand grenades, putting half of the crew out of action. Having used all the available grenades he returned to the original jumping-off trench, secured a further supply, and again attacked the gun, the crew of which had in the meantime been reinforced. He killed the crew, eight in all, and captured the gun. This very gallant NCO then mounted the gun in the new post, and used it in repelling a determined counterattack, during which he was severely wounded. By his determination, Corporal Davey saved the platoon from annihilation, and made it possible to consolidate and hold a position of vital importance to the success of the whole operation." ^[5] The 10th Battalion operation had seized 460 metres of the German front line, along with thirty-five prisoners, six machine guns and two Minenwerfer trench mortars, for the loss of fifty casualties. Phillip had sustained wounds to his back, abdomen and legs, and was evacuated to England.

After he had recovered sufficiently he received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 12th September, and then embarked for Australia. He was discharged from the AIF on 24th February 1919. For his war service he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Brothers

Four of Phillip's brothers followed him into the AIF. One did not return. Like Phillip, two of his brothers, who were also junior non-commissioned officers in the 10th Battalion, received Military Medals:

Arthur (1891-); 29th June 1915; 23rd Australian Infantry Battalion.
Richard (1894-); enlisted 12th April 1915; 10th Australian Infantry Battalion with Claude and Phillip and, like them both, was awarded the Military Medal.
Claude (1895-1917); 10th Australian Infantry Battalion with Richard and Phillip and, like both of them, was awarded the Military Medal, only three months before he was killed in action at Bullecourt in May 1917.
Joseph (1898-); enlisted 22nd January 1915; 27th Australian Infantry Battalion; Private.

Marriage

Phillip married Eugene Agnes Tomlinson on 25th August 1928 in Toorak, South Australia. ^[6] They had no children.

"DAVEY— TOMLINSON,— On the 25th August, at Toorak, by the Rev. W. Hawke, Eugene Agnes, eldest. daughter of Mr. A. J. Tomlinson, Esplanade, Grange, to Phillip Davey, V.C., M.M." ^[7]

Final Parade

As well as the Victoria Cross, Military Cross, 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, Phillip was awarded the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953. His medal set was presented to the Australian War Memorial, Canberra in 1967, and is on display in the Hall of Valour.

After suffering for many years with bronchitis and emphysema, Phillip passed away of a coronary occlusion, aged 57 years, on 21st December 1953 in the Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. ^[8] He was buried in the West Terrace AIF Cemetery, Adelaide.

"DAVEY. — On December 21, suddenly, at Repatriation General Hospital. Springbank, Phillip, dearly beloved husband of Eugene Agnes Davey. of 7 Lysle street, Brooklyn Park. Aged 57 years." ^[9]

"VC's funeral. — A party of officers and men from Keswick Barracks attended the military funeral of Mr. Phillip Davey, VC, at the AIF Garden of Memory Cemetery, West terrace, this afternoon. He died on Monday in Repatriation General Hospital, Springbank, at the age of 57. Diggers from the 10th Batalion, of which he was a member. were pall bearers. The GOC, Central Command. Major-Gen. King, was present. The RSL was represented by Mr. A. S. Blackburn, VC. also a member of the original 10th." ^[10]

Phillip Davey VC MM (1896 - 1953)

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