Samuel Edgar Davey was born on the 31st August 1895, at Far Fold Terrace, Armley. Leeds.

On most documents, including his military service, he is recorded as Edgar Davey. His surname is also spelled as Davy on some records. His parents were Samuel Davey (1853 – 1914) and Charlotte Beecroft (1855 -1942), who married in 1874 at Leeds Parish Church. On the 1891 census, before Edgar was born, his parents and siblings lived at 26 Sugden Fold, Armley, Leeds. His father, Samuel, is a mechanic fitter.

Also in the household is Benjamin Davey, Samuel's brother. He is widowed and employed as an iron founder. My great-great-grandfather, Jonathon Davey (1839 -1888), is another brother of Samuel and Benjamin.

On the 1901 Census, Edgar (aged 5), lived with his family at 4 Aviary View. Armley, Leeds. His father is an Iron Planer. According to the 1911 Census, Edgar was the youngest of 10 children. Two had died in infancy. Alice (1876 – 1877) and Emily (1883 – 1885). The other siblings I can identify are: Eliza. Harry, Ada, James Craven, Albion, and Violet.

On the 1911 census, Edgar (aged 15) is recorded as a driver of a laundry van, almost certainly a horse-drawn vehicle. The family is still at 4 Aviary View. His father died in 1914.

From the surviving records, Edgar enlisted as a Private with the 11th Service Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own). The 11th Service Battalion was part of the 69th Brigade in the 23rd Division.

Again, from available records, we can see that his disembarkation date is 26/08/1915, landing at Le Havre. France. 11th Service Battalion was formed at York on the 10th October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army.

It is not known when Edgar transferred to the 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment - more commonly referred to as Leeds Pals. In December 1917, the 15th Battalion became the 15/17th Battalion and Edgar had records referencing that he was part of this when he died in 1918.

The 11th Battalion saw action in: • The Battle of the Somme (1916) • Delville Wood • Bazentin Ridge • Munster Alley • Trench warfare in the Ypres sector. These were some of the most brutal phases of the war, and surviving them long enough to be promoted speaks to Edgar’s resilience and capability.

Unfortunately, as his full service record isn’t available, I can't categorically say where he served. As Edgar’s full service record is not available, it isn’t possible to write up his full service. He also moved up the ranks. Enlisting as a Private, when he was awarded the Military Medal he was a Corporal. At his death, he was a Sergeant.

Edgar was single, however, a newspaper cutting does refer to his fiancée. Edgar is commemorated at Ploegsteert Memorial Panel 3 & 4. He is also commemorated at St Bartholomew's Church, Armley, and the Armley War Memorial.