111 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca DAVIDSON, Henry Alexander “Harry” WWI Harry was born in January 1895 in Stepney, London, England. He came to Canada in July 1906. Later he worked as a carpenter with the Canadian Pacific Railway shops, Weston. He joined the 8th Battalion Royal Winnipeg Rifles on September 22, 1914 in Winnipeg. On February 9, 1915, Harry transferred to the 8th Battalion overseas. He served in France and Belgium. While there, he was wounded for which he received a wounded stripe, also, receiving a service pin for serving at the front lines. Harry was mentioned in dispatches for bravery. He received three medals: 1914-1918 Star, Victory Medal (Oakleaf), and the British War Medal. Later, Harry returned to Winnipeg. He received soldiers’ settlement land at Hodgson and built a two-storey house on his brother George’s land. Harry never lived there but went back to Winnipeg to work for Canadian Pacific Railway. He married Annie Leigh on October 4, 1922. They moved to Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., where he worked as a carpenter for the movie studios. Harry died on August 9, 1963 in Los Angeles. DAVIDSON, James WWI James was born the third son of Alexander Davidson in London, England, on November 17, 1897. He joined the 78th Battalion, 100 Regiment, C.E.F., on July 4, 1915, when he was only seventeen years and seven months old. He trained in Canada, then sailed from Halifax to England on May 5, 1916, on the Empress of Britain. He arrived in Liverpool on May 29, 1916. He then embarked to Le Havre, France on August 13, 1916. James served in France and Belgium for three and a half months. He was wounded on November 25, 1916. A bullet which entered below his right eye came out behind his right ear. He was admitted to No. 1 General Hospital, then taken to a hospital in Cardiff, Wales. Later he was moved to an eye and ear hospital in Folkston, England. When he was healed and released to go back to work, he was sent to an army kitchen in England. It was a building which had no windows, the smoke went out through a hole in the roof! There he contracted tuberculosis and was sent to Canadian General Hospital, East Bourne on May 19, 1919. He was invalided to Canada on July 14, 1919, on HMAT Essequibo. He was awarded the War Service Badge, the Good Conduct Badge, The British War Medal, and the Victory Cross. Back in Canada he was sent to Ninette Sanatorium. In 1920 he was released and told to go live where the pine trees grow. He lived in a log cabin on his piece of land until 1928. He then left Hodgson and came back to Winnipeg. He worked for Arctic Ice Company but the work was too heavy and he became sick again with tuberculosis. James spent many years in St. Vital Sanatorium. When he was released, he lived with his parents and brother Jack in St. James until his death on April 19, 1951. He is buried in St. James Cemetery, with a military stone marking his grave. His mother received the Silver Cross Medal.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==