Person:Robert Davidson (28)

Educated at Parkside School then Sturt Street Public School. He received a two year scholarship to Prince Alfred College (although he was said not to enjoy the school) and was later on the school council for many years. In 1902, he received a State Exhibition (Sturt-street school). He attended the school for teacher training in Grote Street, Adelaide, for twelve months.

He was a bank clerk with the Bank of Adelaide for six years beginning in 1906.

Became a Minister of the Word in the Methodist and later Uniting Churches and was President of the Methodist Conference.

For 20 enjoyable years, he was Chaplain and secretary at Memorial Hospital, South Australia.

He enjoyed many sports including cricket, football and tennis.

Accepted by the army, he was a sergeant serving in the 11^th Field Ambulance in the First World War (1916-1919) and was awarded a D.C.M. (Distinguished Conduct Medal) for gallantry under fire.

The citation for D.C.M. follows:

Recently Sgt. R.H. Davidson, of the 11^th Field Ambulance, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and by the latest mail his father, Mr. T.W. Davidson, of Parkside, received a Military Gazette (forwarded by his eldest son, Cpl. A.L. Davidson, since killed in action), containing the official record:-

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of the bearer parties in the forward area. He followed up the attacking battalions under heavy enemy fire, close behind the barrage, and rendered first aid to many severely wounded men, thereby saving many lives. He worked unremittingly for long hours over very difficult country.

The Advertiser newspaper in Adelaide reported the following on 27 November 1917:

Mr. T. W. Davidson, of Robsart-street, Parkside, was advised by cable on Monday that his son, Lance-Corporal Robert Harold Davidson, who is serving with the 11th Field Ambulance in France, has been awarded the D.C.M. Lance-Corporal Davidson left Australia for the front in August, 1916.

An article from a newspaper in France in 1918 quoted from The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (No. 110, Thursday, 25th July, 1918):

No. 13071 Lance Corporal R.H. Davidson, A.M.C. D.C.M. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of the bearer parties in the Forward Area. He followed up the attacking battalions under heavy enemy fire -- close behind the barrage and rendered first aid to many severely wounded men -- thereby saving many lives. He worked unremittingly for long hours over very difficult country.

In a letter written by T.W. Davidson to his daughter Mary read:

Bob D. has got the D.C.M. and no one deserved it more -- he's one of the finest men living -- there is no one in the unit held in higher esteem -- tell his Father he was awarded it for his work in the worst stunt we've been in -- they all had a terribly hard time, during the month, and, everyone was loud in their praise of Davidson's work during that time.

However, despite his 'distinguished' conduct, Bob rarely talked of the War after returning home. He would say that "the D.C.M. which came to me was as much deserving to many others as to me", and "with no particular appeal, war is war and at its best in another person's country".

--Quotes taken from an article, ``Memories of Robert Harold Davidson, 1890-1988

The following was written for his retirement from the office of Chairman of Epworth Building Board:

Robert H. DAVIDSON is a man of great ability in many areas and the members of Epworth Building Board would acknowledge the outstanding service that he has rendered the Church as a whole and Epworth Building Board in particular over a period of many years. He became a member of Epworth Board in 1939 and served in that capacity for many years, during which time his worth became more apparent. It was quite natural that he should be requested to act as Chairman on several occasions when the elected Chairman was unavoidably absent. When the Chairmanship became vacant in 1963 it was the unanimous decision of the Board that R.H. Davidson should be nominated to the Conference as Chairman of the Board, a position he has filled with distinction for 15 years. His dedication and unquestionable ability, plus his knowledge of the working of Epworth Building Board, has made his service to the Church one of very great value. We, the members of the Board, want to express our tribute and appreciation of the merit and worth of our retiring Chairman. We thank God for the life and work of Robert H. Davidson and pray that the blessing of Almighty God shall continue to rest upon him as he retires for the office of Chairman of Epworth Building Board.

Robert Harold Davidson as soldier by John Henry Chinner

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Correspondence with Maurice Stephen Thiem and Dorothy (Davidson).
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 L.J. Edwards. Descendents Chart of Mary EDWARDS.
3.   .

   The Advertiser newspaper, Monday, 22 December 1902,
   Page 7, State Exhibitions and Bursaries.
   http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4909115

4.   .

   The Advertiser newspaper, Tuesday, 27 November 1917,
   Page 6, Australian Soldiers -- On Active Service.
   http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5575389