Jonathan Smithurst Davey

Jonathan Smithurst Davey was born in 1896 at Selston and was the son of John Thomas a coal miner hewer and Annie Davey née Smithurst of Middlebrooke Jacksdale Nottinghamshire. His father John Thomas was born in 1854 at Bagthorpe, his mother Annie Smithurst was born in 1856 at Selston, they were married on 28th December 1874 at Selston parish church, they went on to have the following children, Amelia Gertrude b1875, John Thomas b1877, James Frederick b1880, William Henry b1887, Annie b1889 , Stephen b1891 , Joseph Smithurst b1894, Jonathan Smithurust b1896 and Florence Martha Allenbrook Davey b1900 all were born in Selston. In the 1911 census the family are living at Middlebrook, Jacksdale and are shown as John 57 yrs a coal miner hewer he is living with his wife Annie 55 yrs and their children, William Henry 24 yrs a coal miner unemployed, Annie 22 yrs no occupation isted, Stephen 19 yrs a coal miner unemployed, Joseph Smithurst 17 yrs a coal miner, Jonathan Smithurst 15 yrs a coal miner and Florence Martha Allenbrook Davey 11 yrs a scholar.

He was a coal miner in the 1911 census

Private Jonathan Smithurst Davey enlisted at Nottingham, he first served with 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment joining them in France on 26/1/1916. He was wounded or taken ill and returned to UK. He then joined 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. On 18 June 1918, a large raid was undertaken, consisting of four officers and 130 other ranks from 'B' company and one officer and 30 other ranks from 'C' company. The raid was a success with seven enemy and one machine gun being taken. It was though at a cost with two officers, five other ranks killed and eleven wounded. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial France.