More about Alfred William Davidson

Alfred Davidson   CZ/2151   Collingwood Bn Royal Naval Division

NEWPORT NAVAL MAN MISSING.

Mr Alexander Davidson, Tayfield Cottages, West Newport, has received intimation from the Royal Naval Record Office that his son Alfred Davidson, Clyde Battalion 2d R.N.V.R., has been reported by telegram as missing after an action near the Dardanelles.

Although not yet nineteen, young Davidson was amongst the early departures from Newport to join the Naval Brigade, with which his brother Alexander is also serving.

Dundee Courier 23rd June 1915

TAYPORT SEAMAN KILLED IN ACTION.

Mr Alexander Davidson, Tayfield Cottages, West Newport, has been officially notified that his son, Able Seaman Alfred Davidson, R.N.V.R., late of the Collingwood Battalion, Royal Naval Division, was killed in action on 4th June 1915, on Gallipoli Peninsula.  Davidson was previously reported missing. Previous to enlistment deceased was employed as an apprentice blacksmith with Mr Don, blacksmith, Newport.  Davidson was nineteen years of age and well known in the district.

Broughty Ferry Guide 26th May 1916

Alfred Davidson was the son of Mr Alexander and Mrs I Davidson of Tayfield Cottages, Newport on Tay and was employed as an Apprentice Blacksmith to Mr Don of Newport before he joined up in November 1914. He volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training after which he was drafted to the 4th Platoon, C Company of the Collingwood Battalion. The Collingwood Battalion landed in Gallipoli in late May 1915 and took part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June 1915. This was their first and last action because, as they advanced towards the enemy line, they were caught in heavy Turkish artillery and machinegun fire. Alfred Davidson was first listed as missing. However, in July a former Collingwood Rating had written to his mother saying her son had been killed and buried. An investigation was carried out to establish what had happened and, although no body was recovered, it was evident that he had been killed in action during the assault on 4 June 1915. The number of dead and wounded was very high and the Battalion was disbanded two days later which made collecting accurate information very difficult. The survivors of the Collingwood were distributed to the other RND battalions to replace their losses. Alfred Davidson is commemorated on the Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie