GENERAL DAVIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 202, 15 May 1918, Page 4

GENERAL DAVIES

DIES SUDDENLY IN LONDON

By Tolegranh.—Press Association.

New Plymouth, May 14.

A private cablo mossago has boon received stating that General R. H. Davies died suddenly. He commanded a brigado in French's Ist Army.

The Acting-Primo Minister (tho Hon. Sir James Allon) yesterday roceivcd official confirmation of the death of Genoral Davies. Tho mossase Btates that the ex-Now Zealand officer died ill London on Saturday last. Major-General R. H. Davies, C.8., previous to his leaving for England in 1910, was a distinguished member of tho New Zealand Staff Corps. For many years ho was a surveyor in Taranaki, and became identified with the Hawera Mounted Rifles. Ho commanded <% Now Zealand contingent in tlio South African War, and served throughout the campaign with special distinction, being tho only colonial officer who was given command of a. separate operating column. " The Army List contains tho following record of his servioo in South Africa: — South African War, 1899-1902—Reliof of ICiraberley. Operations in tho Orange Freo Stato, February to May, 190 ft, including actions at Houtnok (Thoba Mountain), Yet River (May 5 and 6), and Zand River. Operations in tho Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill (June 11 and 12). .Operations in the Transvaal west of Pretoria, July to November 29, 1900. Operations in Capo Colony; south of Orango Rivor, November, 1899, to February, 1000, lncludi in# actions at Colesburg (January 1 to February 7). Operations in tho Transvaal, November 30, 1900, to May, 1901, and April to May 31, 1902. Operations in Capo Colony, May, 1902. In command 3rd New Zealand Contingent, May 26 to June 29,1900. In command tth Now Zealand Contingent, July, 1900, to June, 1901. In command Bth New Zealand Contingent, March to May 11, 1902; afterwards in command mobile column. Dispatches, Lond. Gaz., April 16, 1901, and July 29, 1902. Queens medal with 5 clasps. King's medal with 2 clasps. C.B. After his roturn to New Zealand General Davies was given command of the Auckland Military District, and later was second member of the Council of Dofence, In 1910 he went to England, on loan from the New Zealand Forces, and was given command of the 6th Infantry Brigade. He held this post until tho outbreak of tho present war, when tho Gtli Infantry Brigade, as part of the famous 2nd Division, proceeded with tho original British Expeditionary Force to He commanded it as a brigadier-gen-eral, the four battalions which he nad nnder his command being: Ist Battalion Liverpool Regiment, Ist Battalion South Staffordshire Regimont, Ist Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, and Ist Battalion King's Royal Riflo Corps. General Davies took part in the retreat from Mons, and about a month after the commencement of operations lie was invalided to England. Later he was f;ivon command of a British Division in France with tho Tank of major-general, and was finally confirmed in that appointment and absorbed into tho Regular British Army—a very high distinction for a colonial officer. General Davies was always regarded as a most efficient lioldier artd a stern disciplinarian, but was universally loved by all who, had the honour to serve under him.