Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"The news of the death of Mr William Jenkin Davey jun. (late Signaller A.I.F.), which occurred at his home, Payneham, on Saturday morning last was received in Burra with deep regret. "Billy" as he was known locally, was born at Kooringa in 1894 and was the eldest son of Mrs E. L. Davey. After leaving school he entered the "Burra Record" Office then owed by his father. In 1913 Mr E.F. Marston bought the business and he and his brother Harold, carried on for some time. He showed marked ability in the trade and being of an ambitions nature, and wishing to gain wider experience, be later went to Horsham Victoria, joining the staff of the "Horsham Times," one of the leading country papers in that State, where he afterwards made his name as a journalist and but for his war service with the consequent loss of health, Will would probably have made his mark in journalism in Australia. He was badly gassed on service and the deadly effects have for years been fought against with a spirit of optimism that was typical of his bright, bouyant, brave nature but the nature of the disease was against him. Although he had been, an inmate of Bedford Park for some time at his own wish when he knew the end was approaching, he was removed to his home where after intense suffering he passed quietly away in his sleep on Saturday. The funeral took place on Anzac Day, when his remains were laid to rest in the Soldiers Cemetery, West Terrace. He leaves a young widow (nee Nurse Miriam Fearce) daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Pearce of Kooringa, and one little son, Master Keith Davey for whom with his mother and Mr Harold Davey his only brother, great sympathy is felt. Reference to his death was made in the Kooringa Methodist Church at the Sunday evening service and again by Dr D. M. Steele President of the R.S. and S.L. League at the special Anzac after church service at the Redruth Memorial Hall." - from the Burra Record 28 Apr 1926 (trove.nla.gov.au)