John Davidson

     
     John Davidson was born on 4 May 1873 at St Andrews, Edinburgh, MLN, SCT, (on igi for both Colinton and Edinburgh, MLN, SCT).^1,3
     John Davidson married Edith Stewart, daughter of Alexander Stewart and Mary Moore, on 26 Feb 1896 in the Trinity Ch, Sth Elmsley, ONT, CAN, by license, Minister: Rev C A French Wit: John Joynt & Ann Morrison (the Joynt and Morrison families were neighbours, John having been placed with the Morrisons and his brother Walter with the Joynt family on their arrival in Canada).^4,5
     John Davidson died on 20 Feb 1917 in Wharncliffe War Hosp, YKS?, ENG, at age 43; presumably as a result of the wounds received in France the previous year.^2,6 He was buried in Wadsley Churchyard, YKS, ENG.^4,6
     John and Walter appeared on the census of 3 Apr 1881 at Road (off Kirkgate), Chirnside, BEW, SCT, in the household of Walter and Jessie Davidson as children of Walter.¹
     John Davidson was aged 8 when his father Walter Davidson died on 27 Oct 1881.²
     The siblings, John Davidson, Walter Fairbairn Davidson and Robert McIntyre Davidson, lived with their mother Jessie Davidson cir. 1887 in Glasgow, LKS, SCT; having moved to be nearer her family after her husband, Walter, died.² Cir. 1887 Jessie turned her 3 sons over to Quarriers, having been unable to find work. Jessie was given work as a cook in one of the children's homes and the boys were sent to care, John to learn a trade, Robert and Walter to an infirmary because they both had whooping cough. Jessie's sister accompanied her when she signed over the boys and the sister strongly objected to the boys being sent to Canada.⁷
     John Davidson immigrated on 10 Apr 1890 to CAN on the SS Siberian landing in Halifax Quarriers having transported them as "Home Children". The Canadian Archives web site shows that they left Glasgow 28 Mar 1890, sailing via Derry. John, 17; Walter 12; Robert 8, all destined for Brockville.^2,8 He was living in Bastard & Burgess Twp, Leeds Cty, ONT, CAN, fr 1890 - 1896 having been placed with the Morrison family (where he met his future wife). He was shown as still living there with the Morrisons in the 1891 census, and when he married his place of residence was the same.⁴ He and Edith Davidson were living in Ottawa, ONT, CAN, aft. 1898 John having moved the family there.⁴
     The census of 1911 showed John with his wife Edith, their son William, their dtr Jessie at 34 Lett St, Victoria Ward, Ottawa City, ONT, CAN, household enumerated as DAVIDSON: John 37 b Sct, May 1873, emig 1892, labourer in building industry, (40/59/400) held ins. to value $1000/300; wife Edith 36 b Ontario Dec 1875, both of Scotch origin, Canadian nationality, Anglican; Son William (D? but should be S) 13 b Ont Aug 1897; Dtr Jessie M 8 b Ont Oct 1902; Lodger: CAMPBELL: David T 21 b ONT Nov 1889, teamster (50/60/500).⁹ On 22 Sep 1914 John Davidson was living at 34 Left St, Ottawa, ONT, CAN, as next of kin to son William Stuart on the latter's enlistment.¹⁰ On 22 Sep 1914 John Davidson at 34 Left St, Ottawa, ONT, CAN, was named as next of kin for William Stuart Davidson.¹⁰
     John Davidson was the informant for the death of his mother Jessie Renshaw on 24 Dec 1915 in St John's Hosp., Ottawa, Carleton Cty, ONT, CAN.^11,4 Bef. 1916 John Davidson was worked as a teamster until he joined the CEF (assumed to be the Canadian Expeditionary Forces) in Ottawa, ONT, CAN.⁴ He began military service bef. Aug 1916 probably in ?QUE, CAN.^4,6 He was in military service fr Aug 1916 - Nov 1916 in FRA being returned to England when he was wounded (Nov 1916).⁴ He was described on his attestation papers as 5ft 6ins, 42 in chest with 3½ in expansion, of med. complexion with blue eyes and brown hair, C of E, no distinguishing marks or peculiarites on 26 Aug 1916 at Ottawa, ONT, CAN.¹⁰ He ended military service on 20 Feb 1917 Private J Davidson, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regt), 87th Bn, Service No #145140, died 20 Feb 1917, buried Wadsley Churchyard, Yorkshire, grave #8, 1 of 53 casualties buried there.⁶