By Alva “Bobbie” Davies

Early Years

John Henry Davies, known as “Jonty”, was born in Tipton, England on 3rd February 1884, his father was William Henry Davies and his mother was Martha Emma Davies (nee Backhouse).

John Henry was a colourful character, who liked to have a bet on the races. He was a railways employee, and during the war years, had the difficult job of trying to keep the light of the fire on the trains from showing the enemy planes at night where to bomb.

Education

He went to school at Dudley. He worked at Davis' yard, New Road, Greatbridge. He was apprenticed as a cast iron moulder, but did not finish his time. He worked at Post Office in Dudley Port and at Dudley Port Railways, as labourer, then shunter, then guard on the London and North West Railways during World War I, mostly with troop trains. After the war he was a shunter at Great Bridge Railway Station. He retired aged 65. After his retirement from the railways, he took a job cleaning the hotel next door to his house.

Marriage and Family

John Henry Davies (the son of William Henry Davies) married Florence Emma Townsend (nee Townsend) about 1905 when he was 21. They had three children:

—William James Davies M. Mary Iliffe Lauder
—Priscilla (who died early from measles)
—Gertrude M. Arthur Breeden)

John Henry had an adopted sister called Pheobe, who married Thomas Baker, who was a school teacher. They had no children.

For grandchildren and descendants in Australia see file of Mary I. Davies.

Descendants in England:

—Gertrude Breeden (nee Davies)
—Grandchildren: Pamela Breeden (M. Granville Stackhouse)
—Phillip Breeden (M. Sherida ?)

Great grandchildren: Rebecca Stackhouse (M. David ?????) (Div) Adam Stackhouse (M. Clare ?????).

Two great-grand children: Natalie Breeden, Lauren Breeden

John Henry was interested in Ping Pong, Bagatelle, Cards and Horse Racing. He had blue eyes, fair hair, fair complexion, and was about 5'6" tall. He was a person who didn't appear to worry about anything, as long as he had a chance to have a bet on the horses.

John Henry died at Tipton, England in 1968. He was 84. He was cremated and his ashes scattered. There is a remembrance of him in a special book kept at the Cemetery in Tipton.