Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

This week’s story is about Dads cousin George Alfred Davey, the 2nd of 5 children to Pops sister Clarice. (Clarice moved from Gympie to Western Australia, probably with her sister Minnie. She married Charles Alfred Davey, a miner, in 1914 at Boulder, WA). They lived at a town named Golden Ridge from 1915 to 1917 per the WA Electoral Rolls. Golden Ridge is now an abandoned town in Western Australia located 615 kilometres (382 mi) east of Perth.
George was born on 15 Aug 1916, a brother for Lucy born 2 years previously. He soon had 3 mores siblings, Betty born 1919, Charles Richard born 1921 and a much later addition of William Clarence born in 1929. I got confused about Georges Dads occupation. The electoral Rolls say Blacksmith, Wireman & Fireman and other articles say Tool sharpener. As two of his sons became Tool Sharpener that’s what I am going with!
By 1922 the family lived at 113 Oroya St, South Boulder and stayed there until between 1943 & 1949. They then lived at 6 Holmes St, Boulder.
George & his siblings went to West Boulder School. I learnt this from newspaper article dated 24 Dec 1929 (Western Argus) which reports on function held on 13- Dec of same year – Back to West Boulder. Our George Davey won the boys 12-14 championship.
The family belonged to a local community group named Australian Natives Association (ANA). The ANA provided sickness, medical and funeral cover. Membership in the ANA was restricted to men born in Australia. At a meeting in Dec-1929 the group was entertained by the Young Australians, of whom over 100 were present. A varied musical programme was submitted, the contributors included Betty & George Davey! (Dads cousins) Shame the article didn’t tell us what instruments were played! Again there is mention of the West Boulder School.
In 1932, when our George was 16, his Dad, Charles, was employed by the Ivanhoe Mine. He was involved in a big union dispute over Saturday working hours for Tool Sharpeners! It seems he and his union lost his challenge but I got lost reading all the newspaper articles.
In Jan-1933, George’s eldest sister, Lucy, married James Turner at St Matthews Church, Boulder. See newspaper article in Western Argus. There is no mention of George in this article but he would have been there, aged 17 years.
In 1936, when he was 20, George was involved in an accident whilst a passenger on a motor cycle driven by Richard Mulgart. Apparently a lady stepped off a tram into their path. Mulgart was taken to hospital unconscious and our George treated for abrasions to his hands. Not a good thing to happen to a Tool Sharpener!
On 18 Apr 1938, aged 22, George married Olive Emma Thorn, aged 18, at the Kalgoorlie Wesley Methodist Church. Both George and his father’s occupation are noted as Tool Sharpener although George has Ba in front. I have not been able to find a write up on their wedding!
On 5 Aug 1938 George Davey was again in the newspaper – this time for possessing a firearm without being the holder of the requisite licence. He had borrowed it to rid get rid of some stray dogs but neighbours had complained about the dangers of the solution. George was fined £1 in default 3 days imprisonment. Presume he paid the fine!!!
On 22 Nov 1941 George joined the Armed Services. Service Number WX18107. He served in "C" COMPANY, NO. 16 Platoon, 6TH Australian Infantry Battalion. When discharged on 22 Nov 1945 he was a Corporal. Would love to get a copy of his Army records to see where he served and if there is a story to his promotion from Private to Corporal! There is a lovely photo of C Group including Pte G.A. Davey on the War Memorial Website. https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/054659/
In 1943 George & Olive home address was at 117 Oroya St, South Boulder just up the road from his parents! Olive had 3 children born before the war, 1 during in 1943 and the last when the war ended so must have been wonderful having Grandparents nearby whilst her husband was away in the Army during WW11.
In May-1943 during a leave of service, in Perth, George was again in the newspaper. This time for smashing one of the remaining bottles of Rum in the Beaconsfield Hotel. 'A disgrace to the army,' remarked Magistrate Craig as he sentenced George to 14 days' gaol. I trust this is our George Davey and I am not doing him a dis-service!
After WW2 ended, George worked for Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie in the Iron Duke Shaft as a Locomotive Driver. Unfortunately, the reason I know this is that just 3 years later, George Alfred Davey was accidently killed, on Sat 2 Nov 1946. The Locomotive he was driving on the 900ft level of the Iron Duke Shaft jumped off the line, turned over on its side and crushed him against the wall off the drive. His death was due to a fractured and dislocated neck.
The really terrible thing is that just 18 days prior his wife had given birth to their daughter Diane Patricia. It must have been terrible for his young wife, Olive. A newborn baby as well as 4 more under 8 years old. Clarice & Charles must have been a huge help since they lived just a few houses apart.
The Funeral Notices for this young man, only 30 years old, are many.
• Family Notice mentions all members of both George and Olive’s family. He was interred in the Methodist section of the Boulder Cemetery 2 days later.
• Boulder Sub-branch of the RSL requested its members to attend the funeral of their late comrade.
• Boulder City Football Club requested their members to attend the funeral of their late member.
• M.U.I.O.O.F. Golden City Lodge No, 7478 requested their brethren to attend the funeral of their late brother.
• Broken Hill Cricket Club requested their members to attend the funeral of their late member.
So our George was a man of many aspects. Music, Football, Cricket to name a few. Sound like he was a very interesting young man.