A Land Fit for Heroes?

Walter Davis took up a soldier settlement block within the Soldiers’ Group Purchase Area No. 26 of Tarrabandra in the Parish of Tarrabandra, County of Wynyard, Gundagai Land District.  The block was SGP No. 1922/24 and consisted of 292 acres.

The house built by Walter Davis. Image donated by Marjorie Myers (nee Davis)

On 26 July 1921, Walter wrote to the Soldiers Settlement Board stating that he had purchased a house out of his advance for £150  but when the house was completed it would cost £320.  Walter, with help from his neighbours, dragged timber from the hill to build the house using a draught horse.[1]  There wasn’t enough left out of the Advance money to cover the additional cost so he asked the Department to reimburse him with money from his corn crop. He appears to have been successful in this.[2]  He intended bringing his mother and younger brother to live with him.

Walter Arnold Davis with his mother Victoria Davis (nee Hush). Image donated by Marjorie Myers (nee Davis)

When he married the Braidwood girl Victoria Hush in 1926, because of ill health, he was no longer able to cope with the farm. [3]

• See My father Walter Arnold Davis – Soldier Settler by Marjorie Myers (nee Davis)

Footnotes

[1] Marjorie Myers, (nee Davis), My father Walter Arnold Davis – Soldier Settler, Tumut, 2010

[2] SRNSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files; [12/7004 No. 4295] Walter Arnold Davis, Annotation on letter – Walter Davis to the Acting Director of Soldier Settlements, 26 January 1921.

[3] Op.cit.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files; [12/7004 No. 4295] Walter Arnold Davis.

National Archives of Australia: B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (Walter Arnold Davis) online: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1897245

Myers, Marjorie, (nee Davis), My father Walter Arnold Davis – Soldier Settler, Tumut, 2010.