THIRD EOSTSON

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 114, 14 May 1918, Page 8

THIRD EOSTSON

GENERAL R. H. DAVIES

, DEATH REPORTED FROM ENGLAND (Bt TELEGRAPH.—PitESS ASSOCIATION.) NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. A private cable message has been received et-ating that General R. H. Davies died suddenly. He commanded a brigade French's Ist Army.

The news of the death, of Major-Gen-eral R. H. Davies, C.8., will be received with genuine regret throughout New Zealand, and particularly by members of the New Zealand Staff Corps, of 'which he was so distinguished a member. He was for many years a surveyor in the Ta-ra-naki District and early became identified with the Hawera Mounted Rifles. He commanded a New Zealand Contingent in the South African War, and served throughout the campaiga with special distinction, being the only colonial officer who was given command of a separate operating column.

His South African War service is recorded in the Army List as follows :— South African War, ,1899-1902.—Relief of Kimberley. Operations in the Orange Free State, February to May, 1900, including actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (sth and ; 6th May), and Zand River. Operations in tho Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill (11th and 12th June). Operations in the Transvaal west of Pretoria, July to 29th November, 1900. Operations in Capo Colony south of Orange River, November, 1899 to February, 1900, including actions at Colesburg (Ist January to 7th February). Operations in tho Transvall, 30th November, 1900, to May, 1901, and April to 31st May, 1902. Operations in Cape Colony, May, 1902. In command 3rd N.Z. Contingent, 26th May to 29th June,' 1900. In command 4£i N.Z. Contingent, July, 1900, to June, 1901. In command Bth N.Z. Contingent, March' to 11th May, 1902; afterwards in command mobile column. Despatches, Lond. Gaz., 16th April, 1901, and 24th July, 1902. Queen's medal with 5 clasps. King's medal with 2 clasps. C.B.

After his return to New Zealand he was given command of the Auckland Military District, and later was second member of the Council of Defence. In 1910 he proceeded to England, on loan from the New Zealand Forces, and was given command of the 6th Infantry Brigade. He held this post until the outbreak of the present war, when the 6th Infantry_ Brigade, as part of the famous 2nd Division, proceeded with the original British Expeditionary Force to France. He commanded it as a Brigadier-Gen-eral, the four battalions which he had under his command being: Ist Battalion Liverpool Regiment, Ist Battalion South Staffordshire Reeiment, Ist Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, and Ist Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. General Davies took part in the retreat from Mobs, and about a, month aiter the commencement of operations he was invalided to England

Later he was given command of a British Division in France with the rank of Major-General, and was finally confirmed in that appointment and absorbed into the Regula* British Army—a very high distinction for a colonial officer.. The late General was always regarded as a most efficient soldier ami a stern disciplinarian, and was universally loved I>y all who had the honour to serve, under him. • I