Cyril Arthur Davis

Killed in action by shelling.

In May 1943, the war in North Africa came to an end in Tunisia with the defeat of the Axis powers by a combined Allied force.

On 8 November 1942, Commonwealth and American troops made a series of landings in Algeria and Morocco. The Germans responded immediately by sending a force from Sicily to northern Tunisia, which checked the Allied advance east in early December.

Oued Zarga was just behind the limit of the advance that winter. Engaged on defensive patrolling, under heavy shelling. 1/4th Battalion lost 100 casualties during March.

From The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1918-1954 by David Scott Daniell pages 112 & 113.

The defensive positions of the Brigade had been rearranged , so that the 1/4th was at Ksar Mezouar , with the 2/4th on their left and the 2nd on their right. Here the Battalions remained throughout March , subject to a good deal of mortaring and shelling, and in weather conditions which started ''trench feet'' until dry socks were sent up each evening with the rations for a nightly change. Little movement was possible by day , but intense patrolling took place each night and frequent contact was made with the enemy. In this month, for example , the 1/4th Battalion suffered some hundred casualties , mostly in ''B'' and ''C'' companies .

Unknown