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Jack Rupert Davies (1882–1956)

The passing of Colonel Jack Rupert Cyril Davies, M.C., V.D., at his home, Underwood, Uralla, N.S.W., last month came as a great shock to all who knew him. Born at Redbank, Scone, N.S.W., in 1883 he was the youngest son of the late J. H. Davies, who held extensive pastoral interests in the Upper Hunter and northwestern districts of New South Wales. His two elder brothers, A. L. Davies and Dr. Reginald Davies, predeceased him.

In 1908 the late Col. Davies married Mildred Lucy Traill at Llangollan, Cassilis, N.S.W., and for a short time lived at Yarrawa, Mungindi. He then moved to Puen Buen, Scone, and apart from his absence during the First World War, lived there until 1938 when this property was disposed of and he moved to Yarrandi, also in the Scone district. This latter property was disposed of in 1953. Col. Davies bought Underwood, Uralla, where with Mrs. Davies and their two younger sons he carried on his grazing interests until his death.

From his earliest days the late Col. Davies took a keen interest in the army. He gained his commission in the C.M.F. at Duntroon in 1912, and on the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 accepted a commission in the 12th Light Horse on its formation under Col. P. P. Abbott, who was Commanding Officer at that time. Early in 1915 he went to Egypt and was taken on the staff of General Chauvel. He participated in the battle of Romani and several other major engagements, after which he returned to the 12th Light Horse and remained with them for the rest of the campaign, being promoted to Captain and later to squadron-leader with the rank of Major. He was with the 12th Light Horse at the charge of Beersheba where, on the field, he was awarded the M.C. by General Allenby. When the regiment returned to Cairo after the Armistice Col. Davies, in company with the late Col. Don Cameron, the late Dr. Clive Single and W. H. Mackay, went on a safari to the Upper Nile for some three months. He spent a short time in England before returning home to Puen Buen and from then on took an active part in the C.M.F., later being appointed Commanding Officer of the 16th Light Horse Hunter River Lancers in succession to Col. A. A. White. He relinquished this command after his term of five years and was then placed on the retired list.

Early in the Second World War Col. Davies returned to the active list and was appointed Deputy-Director Recruiting A.I.F. and later was engaged on transport duties to the Middle East.

Right from his early days Col. Davies took an active interest in local affairs and served as a shire councillor. He was an excellent shot, a keen polo player, and for some 27 years was secretary of the Scone Polo Club. His splendid organising ability, ably assisted by Mrs. Davies, was shown by the unqualified success of all the functions undertaken by the club, and his generosity in making the polo ground at Yarrandi available was appreciated by all. His understanding of the value of work done by the Red Cross and Country Women's Association of N.S.W. was a great help and assistance to Mrs. Davies in her many activities in connection with these organisations.

The late Colonel Davies is survived by Mrs. Davies (Uralla), John (Goondiwindi), Barbara (Mrs. H. R. Carter, Quirindi), Lloyd, and Peter (Uralla).

Original publication

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Citation details

'Davies, Jack Rupert (1882–1956)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/davies-jack-rupert-294/text295, accessed 30 March 2024.

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