John Desmond “Jack” Davies
Sergeant · NZ #1302 · T Patrol
| Rank | Sergeant |
|---|---|
| Service number | NZ #1302 |
| Patrol | T Patrol |
| Regiment | 2nd NZ Divisional Cavalry Regiment |
| Known as | “Jack” |
| Died | 1988-03-12 |
| Record | https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C135326 |
What this roll records
HIS MIDDLE NAME WAS DESMOND, and this roll did not have it. HE DIED ON 12 MARCH 1988 AT THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, CHRISTCHURCH. The Press notice names him with his number — “DAVIES, John Desmond (Reg. No. 1302 L.R.D.G. late 2nd N.Z.E.F.)” — AND THE NUMBER IS THIS CARD’S OWN, which is what separates him from the five other men named Davies on this roll. He was the brother of Margaret Baker of Melbourne, the dearly loved friend of Gretchen and Ivan Sadler, the nephew of Maurice Tattle and the cousin of Bruce, Joyce and Elaine; a second notice adds Rene Chambers of Darwin and Ken Scholium. Cut flowers preferred. HIS FUNERAL WAS HELD AT THE GRAVESIDE IN THE SOLDIERS’ PORTION OF THE RURU LAWN CEMETERY, Raymonds Road, on 15 March 1988. Source: the Press, 14 March 1988, via Papers Past (National Library of New Zealand).
Verified 27 Jul 2026 vs Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph. Rank Trooper at embarkation (2nd Div Cavalry); photo caption gives final rank Sgt. Full name John (Desmond) Davies.
Mechanic in civilian life; served with the 2nd NZ Divisional Cavalry Regiment. AWMM records his rank as Sergeant. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
Rank raised to Sergeant (final rank per AWMM Online Cenotaph).
Original member of the Long Range Patrol (LRP), 1940 — listed with the “LRP” comment in the nominal roll, The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll).
Rank not found online. Where to look: (1) Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph (https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/search) - search surname, then match on this service number; the record shows rank as published in the 2NZEF Nominal Roll. (2) Archives NZ WWII personnel file (https://collections.archives.govt.nz) - definitive rank history, request required.
See him in the full roll →Where this comes from
- Missing info added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll.
- AKA added from the LRDG Preservation Society’s Troopers roll (missing information).
- Murzuk Raid roll (courtesy Tarek el Mahdy)
- Additional sources (AWMM Online Cenotaph). Nominal Roll 2NZEF No. 1 (Embarkations to 31 Mar 1940), p.46. Unit history: Loughnan, R. (1963). Divisional Cavalry.
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