15th Battalion, 48th Canadian Highlanders (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth:
18/06/1894
Died:
04/11/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
22
Summary
William Norman Davison was the son of Harper and Mary Ellis Davison. William was born in Moneymore on 2nd June 1894. Harper was a magistrate and property broker. Later, Harper derived his income from slaves. William emigrated to Canada to join his older brothers Harry and Jack. William Davison enlisted in the army on 22nd September 1914 at Valcartier. He was 20 years old. In January 1915, Private Davison was taken to hospital, where he spent the next two months, with an unknown illness. Private William Davison rejoined his Battalion in May 1915. Private William Norman Davison was serving with the 15th Battalion of the 48th Canadian Highlanders when he was killed in action on 4th November 1916. He was 22 years old.
Further Information
William Norman Davison was the son of Harper and Mary Ellis Davison. Harper Campbell Davison married Mary Ellis Mann on 15th June 1893 in the Magherafelt area.
Harper had previously been married. It is believed he married Agnes Mitchell on 20th October 1887 in Antrim. They had two sons, John Davison, born 26th August 1888 and Campbell Davison, born 2nd April 1890. Both were born in Antrim. It is believed Agnes died after that.
William Norman Davison was born in Moneymore on 2nd June 1894.
The 1901 census records the family living in Cavehill, Belfast. Harper was a magistrate and property broker. Norman was seven years old.
The 1911 census record the family living in Alexandra Gardens, Duncairn, County Antrim. His father now derived his income from slaves. ‘William N’ was 17 and had left school and was working in a bank.
Family: Harper Campbell Davison, Mary Ellis Davison, John A Davison (born 26th August 1888, Randalstown, mother Mitchell), Campbell M Davison (born 2nd April 1890, Randalstown, mother Mitchell), William Norman Davison (born 18th June 1894, Magherafelt, mother Mann), Sarah Margaret Davison (born 6th July 1895, Magherafelt, mother Mann), Mary Olive Davison (born 22nd July 1896, Magherafelt, mother Mann), Henry Church Davison (born about 1898, Magherafelt, mother Mann), Frederick H Davison 4 (born 4th August 1907, Magherafelt, mother Mann).
William emigrated to Canada to join his older brothers Harry and Jack.
William Davison enlisted in the army on 22nd September 1914 at Valcartier.
William listed his mother as his next-of-kin, who was by then living at 5 Golf Terrace, Portrush, County Antrim. He was 20 years old.
Valcartier was a large training camp a few miles north-west of Quebec. It was hastily set up to take the large numbers of men who were joining up at that time in Canada. An estimated 32,665 volunteers were brought in by over one hundred trains from all over parts of Canada, between August and September 1914.
Private William Norman Davison was part of ‘G’ Company of 15th Battalion and sailed for England on 3rd October 1914.
In January 1915, Private Davison was taken to hospital, where he spent the next two months, with an unknown illness.
Private William Davison rejoined his Battalion on 16th May 1915 and formed part of 1st Canadian Division. The Division fought later at the Battle of the Somme.
In October 1916 Norman attended ‘Bombing’ school.
Private William Norman Davison was serving with the 15th Battalion of the 48th Canadian Highlanders when he was killed in action on 4th November 1916. He was 22 years old. William was killed by an enemy trench mortar while on a working party.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private ‘Davison’ was killed in action on 4th November 1916. His unit was south east of Souchez at the time.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 18th November 1916:
DAVISON – 4th November, killed in action, Private William Norman Davison, son of Harper C Davison, and grandson of the late Henry Church Mann, of Drumlamph House, Castledawson.
Private Davison is buried in Zouave Valley Cemetery, Souchez, France.
Private Davison is commemorated on Portrush War Memorial and Portrush Presbyterian Roll of Honour.
The CWGC record Private William Norman Davison as the son of Harper Campbell Davison and Mary Ellis Davison, of 47 Barkston Gardens, Earl's Court, London, England and also note that he was a native of Moneymore, Ireland.
William’s grandfather, Henry Church Mann, lived at Drumlamph House, Castledawson.
The book ‘Portrush Heroes 1914-18’ lists William on page 53.
