Battersea Boy

James John Davis was born in Chelsea West London, the son of James John Davis (b1855) and Catherine Bridget Handley. His exact date of birth is unknown as I haven't been able to find his birth certificate or his baptism record.  Registering your child’s birth became law around 1875, this wasn’t regulated very well and many parent either didn’t both or the church advised them not to. At some point the family moved to Battersea South West London, the exact date is unknown as the electrical registers for that area started in about 1890. However the most of family appears in the 1881 census as living in 28 Parkham Street Battersea.  James mostly likely attended a Sunday School as a child, he would have also attend the local school.

James followed his fathers profession by going into painting and decorating. As there is no mention of them in any of the trade directories, I can only imagine that he worked for a local company.

Sometime before 1894 James enlisted into the 3rd East Surrey Regiment described on his Short Service Form as his “Local Militia” which would be the modern day Territorial Army or TA. He would have been a part-time soldier with the remit mobilise (as and when enacted by parliament ) and defend the country when needed. James would have had basic training which would have lasted between six and nine months. After which he would have been returned to civilian society but expected to attend either a two or three week annual training camp in return for an annual cash stripend call a ‘bounty’.Shortly after, he joined the Royal Horse Artillery in 1894 were he was a Driver. During his years at the colours James served in India for six years.  While in India James may have been present at the battle for Chitral, Siege of Malakand or the Punjab Frontier Revolt