Frank Edmund Davern MM
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Jan 22, 1898
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Born at Napanee Ontario
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Apr 26, 1915
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Attested into the 21st Battalion at
Kingston Ontario
Ø Number 59237 (Temporary number 1357)
o He lied about his age, giving his year of birth as being 1897
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs Annie J Davern (mother) of Napanee Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Student
Ø Previous military experience given as Canadian Signalling Corps –
3 years
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
Ø Assigned to the Depot Company
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded
to West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent
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May 28, 1915
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Transferred from the Depot Company to No 2
Company
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked at Folkstone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked at Boulogne France
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Apr 26, 1916
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Appointed to rank of L/Cpl with pay
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Dec 20, 1916
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Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field
Ambulance) then transferred to No 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with Epididymitis
Orchitis (an infection resulting from contracting Gonorrhea)
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Dec 21, 1916
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Awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette
#29873
The citation reads
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. He laid and repaired telephone wires under very heavy shell fire thereby
keeping communication between Companies and Battn HQ which was most essential in ensuring
the success of the operation
AFW 3121
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Dec 22, 1916
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Transferred to No 12 “AT” (Ambulance
Transport)
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Dec 25, 1916
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Transferred to No 39 General Hospital
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Dec 26, 1916
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Forfeits Field Allowance and is reduced in pay
by 50 cents per day while in hospital (until January 10, 1917)
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Jan 10, 1917
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Discharged from hospital and placed in
Military Prison at Havre France
I could find no entry that indicated a
Court Martial or a Court of Enquiry that handed down this punishment. The authority for this is recorded as “CLA
416, VDG”
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Jan 11, 1917
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TOS (Taken On Strength) the CBD (Canadian Base
Depot) for administrative purposes
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Feb 26, 1917
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Released from Military Prison and rejoined the
21st Battalion in the Field
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Aug 16, 1917
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Wounded in left leg by shrapnel and admitted
to No 22 CCS
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Aug 19, 1917
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Died of Wounds
Bruay
Communal Cemetery
Bruay France
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Aug 3, 1920
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War Service Gratuity paid to dependent mother
($180)
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Sep 20, 1921
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1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Death Plaque and Scroll, and the Memorial Cross sent to his mother, Mrs Annie J
Davern of Napanee at various dates, the last being sent on this date.
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During the Remembrance Day
ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night for the week
leading up to November 11. This vigil consisted of projecting the names of every
Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on various
buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England. The photo below shows
Frank Davern's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.
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