DAVIDSON, PTE. WILLIAM FERGUSON Reg. #73265
William Ferguson Davidson was born July 27, 1891 in Glenmuick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland to the Reverend Thomas Davidson and Isabella Catherine Ferguson.
At the time of the 1911 census, the family lived in Egremont Sub-District of Grey South. William was identified as a farmer. He further identified that he had immigrated to Canada in 1891.
While we cannot find a specific reference to the family living in the Magnetewan area, William Ferguson Davidson’s sister Ethel is identified as having been born in Parry Sound on May 5,1898. While, in the birth registration, the location of Ethel’s birth is not specified other than being in Parry Sound District, all of the other births on the page are of families in the Chapman and Croft area.
William Ferguson Davidson signed his Attestation Papers on October 24, 1914 .
A history of service from Toniraugust Famiky Tree
In the 'Casualty Form-Active Service' William disembarked in Boulogne, France on September 18, 1915.
In March 1916 he contracted measles and appears to have suffered from the measles until April.
He was killed in action, June 6, 1916.
William had initially sailed for England, May 29, 1915 and for France on September 17, 1915.
He was with the 28th Battalion.
June of 1916 saw a number of attacks and counter attacks involving Canadian forces at Ypres. In one of the counterattacks, on June 6: “The Germans sprung a surprise on the Canadians by exploding four large mines under trenches of the 2nd Canadian Division covering the spur at the eastern outskirts of the ruins of Hooge and a company of the Canadian 28th (North West) Battalion was wiped out in the explosions.” ) Wikipedia)
The Canadian War Museum further identifies hat: “The 3rd Canadian Division, which had been formed in December 1915, was the target of a crushing German bombardment on the morning of 2 June. The barrage devastated the forward Canadian positions and killed hundreds, including the division commander, Major-General Malcolm Mercer. German infantry then swept forward, capturing Canadian positions at Mount Sorrel and on two surrounding hills. A hastily organized counterattack on 3 June failed. Three days later, the Germans exploded four mines under the Canadian positions and captured the village of Hooge.”
The battle is referenced as Mount Sorrel.
The Honour “Mount Sorrel” was awarded for the successful defence against a German attack on the high ground east of Ypres and the counter-attack that successfully regained all positions. The newly formed 3rd Canadian Division (Major-General M.S. Mercer) was placed in the line with four battalions forward. Early on 2 June Mercer had gone forward with the commander of the 8th Brigade (Brigadier-General V.A.S. Williams) to inspect the brigade's forward defences. The two senior officers were in the trenches of the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles when, at 0600 hours, the Germans unleashed an enormous barrage on the Canadian positions in the area of Hills 60 and 62 east of Ypres. The German attack was fiercest in the area between 8th and 7th Brigades (Brigadier-General A.C. Macdonell), almost wiping out the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Under intense bombardment, and in the face of well-planned infantry assaults, Canadian units fiercely defended their positions in all areas of the front. Reinforcements were moved in throughout the day and stopped the German advance. Lieutenant-General Byng, the Canadian Corps Commander, ordered a counter-attack for the night of 2 / 3 June. Delayed until the morning, the attack did close a gap in the Canadian line but did not accomplish its objective due to the attacking units having made an uncoordinated start. The Germans now had a commanding position overlooking the Canadian lines. They consolidated their gains by digging in and setting up machine gun positions and barbed wire to defend their new positions. While the Canadian Corps planned a counter attack, the Germans struck near Hooge detonating two large mines but the 6th Brigade holding that area continued to resist despite suffering heavy losses. (Government of Canada Website)
This picture is entitled The Battle of Mount Sorrel from the Canadian History Exhibit.
