EXPERT IN WEAPONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1942, Page 2

EXPERT IN WEAPONS

THE LATE MAJOR R. J. D. DAVIS. One of the best known personalities in the New Zealand Military Forces, the late Major R. J. D. Davis was born in Sydney in 1883, and began his military career in Australia. He came to New Zealand in 1902, and in 1911 joined the permanent military staff. He went overseas with the Main Body in 1914, and was badly wounded at Gallipoli. On returning to New Zealand he was appointed to a commission and took up the appointment of assistant musketry instructor at Trentham. After the last war Major Davis was appointed to the New Zealand Stall Corps, and at the time of his retirement in April, 1938, he held the appointment of chief instructor at the Small Arms School, Trentham. On the outbreak of the present war Major Davis, who had been living in retirement at Paraparaumu, was appointed instructor at the Army School of Instruction, Trentham. A specialist in rifles, machine-guns and other weapons of the infantryman, he was a gifted instructor of indefatigable energy. He will be remembered by riflemen in all parts of New Zealand, for he closely identified himself with the work of the National Rifle Association.