FWW Names – D

Regimental Number: 500192 and Lieutenant
Enlistment Date / Location / Unit: 2 July 1915 / North Vancouver, BC / 6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers
Birth Date / Location: 27 January 1886 / Alexandria, Dumbarton, Scotland
Parents: Matthew Davie (1849-1932) and Elizabeth (nee Scott) Davie (1843-1916)
Occupation on Enlistment: Architect and Draughtsman
Date of Death / Location: 17 February 1918 / France
Age at Death: 32
Unit on Date of Death, or on Demobilization: 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Circumstances of Death: Killed in Action
Cemetery or Memorial: Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain St. Nazaire, France, II.D.7
Medals / Awards: British War Medal: Victory Medal
Where commemorated: Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Veterans Affairs Canada; First World War Book of Remembrance page 394, Memorial Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON; Maple Ridge Cenotaph, Maple Ridge, BC; Maple Ridge Legion Branch #88 Memorial Plaque; Municipality of Maple Ridge Honour Roll, St John the Divine Anglican Church, Maple Ridge, BC

Hugh Scott Davie was the son of Matthew and Elizabeth (nee Scott) Davie. He was born 27 January 1886 in Alexandria, Dumbarton, Scotland. He was a well-known oarsman and a member of the Loch Lomond Rowing Club before immigrating to Canada in April 1911, joining his older brother Matthew Turnbull Davie in Vancouver, BC. Hugh’s parents and brother William Scott Davie and his family emigrated from Scotland in June 1911. Hugh’s parents settled in Port Haney, BC. Prior to his enlistment, Hugh was a partner in the Vancouver architectural firm of Doctor, Stewart & Davie. Well-known in musical circles, Hugh was a member of Vancouver’s Western Triple Choir.

At the age of 29, Hugh enlisted as a Private in the 6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers but was soon transferred to First Fortress Company, Canadian Engineers. Upon enlistment, Hugh was 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 1/2 inches) in height, weighed 67 kilograms (147 pounds), had blue eyes and light brown hair. On 22 October 1915 he embarked for overseas duty from Quebec, QC on the S.S. California. Hugh was promoted to Second Corporal on 15 January 1916 and the next day embarked for France. On 28 April 1917, Hugh received a commission and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. On 29 May 1917 he was transferred to the 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry.

As per Canada War Graves Register, Circumstances of Casualty, Hugh was “Killed in Action” in the vicinity of Lens, France. “During a trench tour Lieutenant Davie was inspecting the different outposts and sentries about 9 am on February 17th 1918, and while in one of the front line posts he was hit in the head and body by an enemy trench mortar shell and instantly killed.” His body is buried in Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain St. Nazaire.

Hugh’s mother Elizabeth died in 1916 and is buried in Maple Ridge Cemetery. H. Davie’s name was on the Cenotaph when it was unveiled in 1923.
(Updated 19-Feb-2024)

Regimental Number: 629592
Enlistment Date / Location / Unit: 3 November 1915/ New Westminster, BC/47th Battalion
Birth Date / Location: 17 April 1893/ Derry, County of Londonderry, Ireland
Parents: George Davin (1858-1933) and Elizabeth Ann (Stewart) Davin
Occupation on Enlistment: Rancher
Date of Death / Location: 26 – 28 October 1917/ Hill Side Farm, Passchendaele, Belgium
Age at Death: 24
Unit on Date of Death, or on Demobilization: 47th Battalion (BC Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force
Circumstances of Death: Killed in Action
Cemetery or Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium, Panel 28
Medals / Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal
Where commemorated: Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Veterans Affairs Canada; First World War Book of Remembrance page 225, Memorial Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON; Maple Ridge Cenotaph, Maple Ridge, BC; Maple Ridge Legion Branch #88 Memorial Plaque; Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium; Municipality of Maple Ridge Honour Roll, St John the Divine Anglican Church, Maple Ridge, BC; The Gold Stripe Roll of Honour, Maple Ridge, page 89; Whonnock Lake Centre Plaque, Maple Ridge, BC; Whonnock’s Roll of Honour in CEF; De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour; Foyle College Memorial Plaque, Londonderry, UK; Ireland, Londonderry (Derry) War Memorial 1914-1918 – The Diamond War Memorial; Roll of Honour St Augustine’s Church, Palace Street, Londonderry, Ireland

William Maurice Davin was the second youngest son of George and Elizabeth (nee Stewart) Davin. He was born 17 April 1893 in Londonderry, Ireland and attended Foyle College in the same city. His father owned the large and successful Davin Paper Box Company and William worked as a box maker prior to coming to Canada. When he embarked, he listed his destination as Whonnock, BC, with the intention to take up fruit farming, William embarked from Glasgow on 4 July 1914 aboard the S.S. Hesperian.

William’s brothers Frederick George and Arthur James had arrived in Canada a few years earlier settling in Vancouver. In 1912 and 1913 Fred was a partner in the firm MacDonald and Davin, grocers, located at 399 Powell Street, Vancouver; Arthur was an employee in 1913.

Although he only appears to have lived in Whonnock for a little more than a year, William was well connected within the community. He volunteered with the 104th Regiment Westminster Fusiliers of Canada, a unit originally assigned with local protection duties, but by November 1915 was being used to raise soldiers for the 47th Battalion (British Columbia). He and his brothers Frederick George and Arthur, both of whom enlisted in the UK, are listed on two Maple Ridge area Roll of Honour plaques.

When he enlisted William was 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) tall, had light brown eyes and dark hair. He sailed to England on 13 November 1915, and embarked for France 10 August 1916.

He was seriously wounded by gunshot wounds to his back and left thigh on 10 November 1916 during the capture of Regina Trench, Battle of the Somme. After spending more than three months in hospital, William was returned to the field. As per Canada War Graves Register, William was “Killed in Action” on Hill Side Farm, Passchendaele, Belgium. His death is listed as occurring sometime between 26th and 28th October 1917. In a letter to William’s family published on page 8 in the 20 November 1917 Londonderry Sentinel, Private W.E. Wiltshire wrote: “As he was one of my greatest pals, I feel that what is your loss is also mine…Billy was one of the finest boys I have ever met, a good soldier, always willing to do his share, and fearing nothing. He died the noblest death possible, fighting for his country in the name of freedom.”

W. Davin’s name was on the Cenotaph when it was unveiled in 1923.
(Updated 11-Feb-2024)

Regimental Number: 443233
Enlistment Date / Location / Unit: 15 July 1915/ Vernon, BC/54th Battalion, CEF, “C” Company
Birth Date / Location: 31 August 1877 / Harrogate, York, England (1876 on Attestation)
Parents: John Henry Dickinson (1847-1923) and Susanna Martha (nee Tompkins) Dickinson (1847-1926)
Occupation on Enlistment: Schoolteacher
Date of Death / Location: 6 November 1917 / Vicinity of Passchendaele
Age at Death: 40
Unit on Date of Death, or on Demobilization: 27th Battalion (Manitoba Regiment), Canadian Infantry
Circumstances of Death: Killed in Action
Cemetery or Memorial: Menin Gate Memorial, panel 26
Medals / Awards: British War Medal; Victory Medal
Where commemorated: Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Veterans Affairs Canada; First World War Book of Remembrance page 228, Memorial Chamber, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON; Maple Ridge Cenotaph, Maple Ridge, BC; Maple Ridge Legion Branch #88 Memorial Plaque; St John the Divine Anglican Church Memorial Plaque, Maple Ridge, BC; Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium; Oxford War Memorials: St Peter-in-the-East Church; City Church of St Michael-at-the Northgate, “Roll of the Citizens of Oxford who Fell in the Great War 1914-1918”; St. Catherine’s Society “Tablet”, Holywell, Oxfordshire

Guy Richard Worstenholme Dickinson was the third of ten sons born to schoolteacher John Henry Dickinson and his wife Susanna Martha (nee Tompkins). He was born on 31 August 1877 at Harrogate, Yorkshire, England. The family moved to Oxford three years later. From 1895 to 1907 Guy played for the Oxford City Football Club 1st XI, scoring 133 goals in 197 games. Guy attended the University of Oxford and became a schoolmaster. By 1909, two of his younger brothers, Leonard Henry and Evelyn James had immigrated to Canada and settled in Port Hammond, BC. On 9 June 1912 Evelyn James married Joyce Davis of Maple Ridge at St. John the Divine Church. On the 27 July 1912 Guy arrived in Quebec City and then made his way to BC where he found work as a schoolteacher in New Westminster. Guy was a member of the parish of St. John the Divine in Maple Ridge.

At the age of 37, Guy enlisted on 15 July 1915 at Vernon, BC in the 54th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, “C” Company. He was 1.7 meters (5 feet 5 1/2 inches) tall, had brown eyes, and brown hair. He arrived in England on 1 November 1915 and by 9 April 1916 he was transferred to the 27th Battalion and embarked for France.

The 10 April 1917 edition of The Province reported that the students of the “Maple Ridge School held a sale of home cooking and sewing, from which the sum of $38 was raised for patriotic purposes.” The honor roll for the school was unveiled and included their teacher, G. Dickinson as well as many former students.

The 27th Battalion war diary for 6 November 1917 reports “Battalion in front line in front of Passchendaele. Weather dull. Wind N.E. Battalion assembled for the assault and all in position at 4 a.m…. All objectives captured at 7:40 a.m…. Approximate casualties were: 13 Officers and 240 O.Rs.” Guy was one of these O.R.s (other ranks).

Guy’s older brother Reginald Charles Edmund Dickinson (1874-1930) served in the Royal Air Force, UK. Brother Evelyn James Dickinson (Regimental No. 338842) served as Driver with 4th Divisional Ammunition Column Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Guy’s brothers, Evelyn and Leonard returned to BC. Leonard Henry Dickinson remained in Maple Ridge until his death in 1961.

G. Dickinson’s name was on the Cenotaph when it was unveiled in 1923.

(Updated 23-Jan-2024)