Davies, David Thomas (Lance Corporal, b.1887 - d.1941)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 4335 Lance Corporal David Thomas Davies, France and England, 1916-1919. Collection consists of 18 letters and one postcard written by Davies to the Bulkeley sisters Ruby, Edith and Frances. The letters detail Davies' service on the Western Front, duties he has undertaken and time spent training and recuperating in England. He speaks about the weather, conditions on the front lines and his experiences of battle including a number of pushes against German lines. Davies also writes to the sisters about their brother, Richard Farley Bulkeley, who was killed in August 1916. The letters are very lively and detailed, painting a vivid picture of wartime experiences on the front.

Lance Corporal Davies was born in Wales, but migrated to Australia and lived in Wallerawang, NSW. It is thought that he knew the Bulkeley family (who were also from the town) through working for Ruby, Edith and Frances' father as a draper at his general store.

Davies corresponds with all three sisters, thanking them for their letters and numerous parcels. He writes to them about his experiences in a frank and engaging manner, including details about why he twice refused promotion, a British prisoner he was guarding during time in England, how he copes with terrible weather and living conditions at the front and why he opposes Australian troops rushing to marry British girls.

Two of the letters in this collection mention Richard Farley Bulkeley, brother to the girls. The first speaks of his being recommended for a VC (he was eventually awarded a Military Cross), and the second offers limited information about Richard's death at Mouquet Farm in 1916.