Royal Field Artillery, 206 Brigade, Service no. 72673
Born: 1892. Died 1937
Story
George was born in Kippax and baptised on 3rd July 1892. His parents were James Davidson and Mary Booth. George had a difficult start to life. His father was killed at the age of 35 when George was only two years-old. He had been working at the Messrs Bowers & Co. pit off Bowers Row, Astley (pictured below), which was then part of Woodlesford, when he was one of six colliers injured in a gas explosion. James Davidson was working with his brother George, and although he was brought out alive, he had been burnt about the face, hands and torso. He became the third man to have died in the explosion after he succumbed to his wounds whilst at home in School Lane, Kippax. James’ wife, Mary re-married Alfred Marr in Kippax on 23rd February 1895. Mary was the sister of Daniel Booth, who would win the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal during the First World War. Mary died in 1897 at the age of 34, which left five year-old George Thomas Davidson to be raised by his grandmother Hannah Booth (née Farrar). When Hannah passed away in 1909, aged 64, George was 17 years-old, and moved in with his aunt’s family, Amy Booth, who had married Albert Hope, and their three children, on School Lane. Before the War, George was a pony driver in the colliery. He enlisted at the start of the First World War, and landed in France on 1st June 1915. Originally a Driver, he was promoted to Lance-Bombardier before the end of the War, and returned to Kippax.
George died in 1937 at the age of 45. He was living at 13 New Buildings, Kippax, and was buried on 8th March 1937.
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