My great uncle, Bombardier 317454 Frank DAVISON was born on 25th March 1888 in Faversham Kent to William and Mary Ann, he was the youngest of 4 sons. He grew up and was schooled in Faversham. 

Whilst growing up he proved to be a very versatile sportsman playing cricket, competing in athletics and was a very competitive gymnast, but most of all he was a superb footballer.

He worked as a dental mechanic for a local dentist in Faversham and at the same time joined 1/1st Kent Heavy Battery RGA in 1915 where he was quickly promoted to Bombardier.

His sporting prowess was proved in his cricket career where he regularly took 5-6 wickets a game, sadly his batting did not match his bowling skills. He and his other brothers Henry (my grandfather) and Alfred George where all classed as brilliant gymnasts and is one competition Frank scored 118 and a half points out of 120. The local athletics club used to regularly hold athletic meetings and all brothers were very successful in every event they entered. However his main claim is with his football career where he played for Faversham Town FC on the left wing. They were one of the best teams in the league at that time. He eventually moved to Whitstable Town FC again playing on the left wing. In the 4 Seasons he was with them they won the league and cup competition several times.

Sadly World War 1 took over but not before Frank had been described as one of the finest sportsman in Kent.

He joined 332 Siege Battery RGA in June when they mobilized to France. The battery were serving at the 3rd Battle of Ypres (or Passchendaele) in the Civilisation Farm area on the 26th September 1917 when he suffered severe shell wounds to both legs. He was in a critical condition when taken to a Casualty Clearing Station where, despite their doctors' best efforts, he succumbed to his wounds. 

He was buried with full military honours in Dozinghem Military Cemetery near Poperinge, Belgium. At the same time as Frank there were several others severely injured who later died. A few weeks before Frank died, another young man working for the same dentist was killed in action (Private Harry BOORMAN of the East Kent Regiment).

On the 26th September 2017, with my youngest brother and my two sons, we visited Frank's grave and drank a toast of the local Shepherd Neame ale to him plus poured one over his grave (being a Faversham lad he would know the beer). Several photos were taken and an article was written the all went into Whitstable Town FC programme for a game around Armistice Day.

What became of his brothers?

Well, Alfred served approximately 12 months before being medically discharged.

My grandfather, Henry, joined 2nd Battalion Scots Guards in May 1905 and went on to become a physical training instructor. He rejoined his regiment in June 1915 when he was mobilized to France, at the time he was Acting Company Sargeant Major. He was seconded to 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders where in late 1916 he was awarded the Military Medal for bringing ammunition to the front when 3 other persons had been killed in the process, he was at the time Acting Regimental Sergeant Major. In the New Years honours list he was awarded the Military Cross for Exemplary Service.

One of my favourite photographs is of my grandfather talking with King George V in August 1918 when his battalion had just come out of the line. He continued to serve with the Gordons until May 1926 where he retired having completed 21 years service almost half of it as a RSM. He, my grandmother and my father returned to Faversham to live.