b. 16/05/1828 Clifton, Bristol. d. 18/10/1891 Clifton, Bristol.
Gronow Davis (1828-1891) was born on 16th May 1828 in Clifton, Bristol. He joined the Royal Artillery and rose through the ranks to Captain on 30th March 1848, just after his 20th birthday. He served throughout the Crimean War, and saw action at most of the main battles and at the Siege and Fall of Sebastopol.
Gronow Davis VC
On the 8th September 1855, during the attack on the Redan, he was in command of the spiking party. In the midst of the attack, Captain Davis saved the life of Lieutenant Sanders of the 39th Regiment of Foot, by jumping over the parapet of a sap, and proceeding twice some distance across the open, under a horrific fire, to assist in conveying that officer, whose leg was broken and who was otherwise severely wounded, under cover, and repeated this act in the conveyance of other wounded soldiers from the same exposed position.
He also received the Brevet of Major and the 5th Order of the Medjidie for his actions in the Crimea. His Victoria Cross was gazetted on 23rd June 1857, and just three days later, he was present at the first investiture by Queen Victoria at Hyde Park. He became Major shortly afterwards in August 1857. He rose through the ranks further eventually reaching the rank of Major General on 29th October 1881. He retired from the Army later that year.
Major General Davis died suddenly at his home, 5 Royal Park, Clifton, Bristol aged 63 on Sunday 18th October 1891. He was laid to rest in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol. His medals are held (though were not displayed on my visit) at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich. Gronow Davis’ son (also Gronow) served in the Royal Artillery and became a Lieutenant Colonel in the First World War, receiving the DSO for his actions.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM, WOOLWICH, LONDON. (NOT ON DISPLAY – JAN 2015)
BURIAL PLACE: ARNOS VALE CEMETERY, BRISTOL.
Acknowledgement:
Kevin Brazier – Map of Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol.