The following news item marks the first of many accounts carried by The Jewish Chronicle covering the participation and experiences of individual soldiers, over the course of the First World War.
The accompanying photograph was published in The Jewish World on September 16, 1914, and is one of several hundred such images – of highly varying size and quality – that appeared in that publication during the course of the conflict, the publication of such portraits in the World generally coinciding with their appearance in the Chronicle. The very few photographs that appeared in the Chronicle during this era were typically of scholars, academics, majority military figures, or statesmen, and accompanied biographical sketches, or, in-depth interviews. Photographs in the World had a much more “common” touch, showing servicemen of all ranks, and, all branches of the military.
Based on a review of the British Jewry Book of Honour, issues of The Jewish Chronicle published between 1914 and 1919, and, the CWGC database, it seems that Cyclist Davis did, fortunately, survive the war.
However, there is a possibility that he was wounded after the incident reported below.
In Casualty Lists published in the Chronicle on July 2, October 15, and November 26 of 1915, notices were carried respectively about a “Private Morris”, “Rifleman M.”, and “Private M.” – Harris – in each case of the 17th, London Regiment – having been wounded in action. Perhaps one or more of these three persons was actually Cyclist Davis? In any event, typical of “wounded in action” announcements for The First World War – unlike those published in the Chronicle during World War Two – the soldier’s next-of-kin and place of residence are not listed, so ambiguity remains.
The transcribed article follows…
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A Cyclist Soldier’s Heroism
The Jewish Chronicle
September 11, 1914
Cyclist Maurice Davis, 17th Company of London, G. Company, has been commended for the heroism he displayed at a serious conflagration that broke out the other day in St. Albans, where he was stationed with his regiment. Obeying the order to save the petrol from the fire, Cyclist Davis entered and left the burning building on several occasions, and eventually was rendered unconscious, having sustained severe burns. He is now receiving treatment at the King’s College Hospital and is making progress.
