Today's the day!
Before this trip to UK was planned I had begun researching my family history on my Mother's side - my Scottish ancestors. When we began planning this trip to visit David's dad in Shropshire, I welcomed the opportunity to revisit Monifieth where I had spent the first few years of my life before my parents migrated to Rhodesia ( Now Zimbabwe).( I use the word revisit as I visited Monifieth just 5 years ago in 2009, my first visit to Scotland and England since 1981 when my beloved Dad died and before we migrated to Australia from Zimbabwe)
With this visit I can look at Monifieth and the surrounding areas with "new eyes"! I have learnt so much, I have dreamt about the ancestors!! in full dress of the time. . In my dreams I was living with them. Perhaps I am lucky and have been visited by the many ancestral spirits.
I started the family history with my Grandparents David Donald Davidson and Marjory Malcolm Smith and the few documents that my Mum had. She also had information and names written in a notebook and this was a great start. I remember my Grandparents, and they had visited us in Zimbabwe, but I realised that I also remembered a lot of other relatives, so the tree has not only gone back in generations but has spread out to include family members that I could remember but more importantly that my Mum can remember.
I thought that it would be fairly easy to find Grandad Davidson's war record, I didn't know about the 'burnt records' and to date I haven't managed to find his record so can probably assume that it is one of the burnt records.
It seemed important to me, especially this year to acknowledge his time spent fighting and his safe return to Monifieth. Although I couldn't find his service record I did find some information in the local papers of the time, and have learnt a little more about his wartime years. Mum had told me that the only thing she knew about her Dad's time in France was that he was 'buried alive' in the trenches
.
Grandad was in the Black Watch and he was in camp at Crieff when the territorials were mobilised and went to the front with his battalion at the end of 1914 probably 1st November 1914. It was reported in The Courier Dec 30th 1915, that " another mud stained soldier arrived at Monifieth yesterday in the person or Private David Davidson, 5th Black Watch son of Mr Donald Davidson a well known member of the old 5th V.B.R.H." Perhaps this was his first leave?
On August 4th 1916 it was reported in the Evening Telegraph & Post, that Mr Donald Davidson, of Station Cottages, Monifieth, had received information that his son Private David D Davidson had been wounded in action on the 23rd July, but there were no further details at that time. What a worrying time it must have been for the family.
A few days later on August 8th it was reported in the The Evening Telegraph & Post , that private David Davidson had written to his Dad informing him of his "miraculous escape".!!
He wrote " Early in the morning of 23rd July I was on duty at the trenches when the side of our trench fell in burying me up to my neck. Fortunately for me some of my comrades observed the accident and immediately commenced to dig me out. My chest and ribs were crushed; little wonder as two tons of sand fell in, and I have been sent to the rear for rest. Everything that was breakable about me was broken".
"my cigarette case was flattened like a pancake, and my watch was smashed to fragments, I was seeing many queer things before being dug out, and believe it was my height that saved me from being buried alive. However, all's well that ends well and am glad that am able to write you after my encounter with mother earth. "
It was a miraculous escape!! I don't know if Grandad came home after his ordeal or continued on at the front. His father died on 15th October 1917 and I could find no mention in the local papers of Private Davidson returning home.
Grandad was reported missing on March 21st 1918, his family & friends had heard nothing and had almost given up hope when a letter arrived from him to his Aunt, Miss Davidson, of 11 Craigie St Dundee. This was reported in the Evening Telegraph & Post August 6th 1918.
He informed his Aunt that "he was a prisoner in the hands of the Huns", he asked his Aunt for a parcel of food to be sent. How wonderful to have opened up that letter and read the news that your nephew was alive!
I don't know when my Grandad got back from the war or was demobbed, but he got back safely and married my Grandmother in 1919 and my Mum was born in 1920.According to my Mum he never talked of his experiences. I remember seeing a great photograph of him in his uniform and yes he was tall and handsome. My Aunt Nessie showed me the photograph many times, when I went back to Zimbabwe after she and then her husband died, her box of family photographs had disappeared. I felt so sad so many photos gone. I found the box where she had lovingly stored the photographs, but it was full of sewing 'stuff'. So sad she loved those photos of her beloved family
One thing I will think about when I get to Monifieth is how amazing that my Grandad returned safe and sound from the war when so many others died including one of our family members Alfred Chalmers husband of Isabella Smith (my Granny's sister)
A few places to visit before I get to Monifieth, including where David was born and lived before migrating to Australia. the adventure begins soon
No comments:
Post a Comment