Private David Watkin Humphreys

  Thanks to Gary Mitchell for granting us permission to share his Facebook posts on our blog

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7th April 2022

Served during The Great War, died tragically, resting at Belmont Cemetery.

Private David Watkin Humphreys, 1st Battalion (Reg No-3064), miner from Park Street, Swansea, New South Wales, was laid to rest at Belmont Cemetery on the Saturday afternoon of the 4th June 1938, age 50. Old Anglican - Row D. Plot 16.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133618530 - funeral notice states service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133620938 - report of funeral.

Born at Merewether (Glebeland), New South Wales on the 28th March 1888 (as David M HUMPHRIES) to David (died 1890) and Elizabeth Ellen Humphreys (remarried as CLEAVER, 1892, Gosford, N.S.W., died 1943, Belmont, N.S.W.); husband of Jessie May Humphreys nee Albrighton (married 2.2.1918, at the Register Office, Birmingham, England, died 1973, age 79, 35 years a widow, sleeping here), David enlisted July 1915 at Sydney, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137974373 - report of public farewell and presentation of wristlet watch at the Swansea Hall.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133752140 - report of letter from the front.

Admitted to hospital 11.12.1915 (not stated).

Wounded in action - 22 / 25.7.1916 (GSW right arm, compound fracture, left side, left shoulder).

David returned home with wife Jessie August 1919, being discharged on the 10th October 1919.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139441424 - reported returning home.

Mr. Humphrey’s name has been inscribed on the Catherine Hill Bay Cornstalk Lodge G.U.O.F.G. Roll of Honour as W D HUMPHRIES (photo, unveiled date unknown - https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/.../catherine... ).

David had died on the 24th May 1938, and the tragic circumstances were reported.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133618635 - Body in Lake, Swansea Man Missing for Nine Days.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133613477 - Open Verdict Returned.

On the night of May 24th, 1938, David Watkin Humphreys, 50, a miner, of Park Street, Swansea, disappeared. Search parties were organised and Lake Macquarie was dragged, but it was not until June 3 that the body was found in the lake at Marks Point. At an inquest at Newcastle Courthouse yesterday, the District Coroner (Mr. A.G. Chiplin) returned an open verdict. He came to the conclusion that Humphreys either fell into the water or went in purposely, but which it was the evidence did not enable him to say. He was satisfied, however, that there was no foul play, and that nobody pushed him in. The body must have been carried by the tide from Swansea to Marks Point. Humphreys was a returned soldier and did his bit at the front, Mr. Chiplin continued. No doubt he was upset and worried by his ill-health. He paid a tribute to those who had taken part in the search, particularly the miners who sacrificed a day's pay to look for Humphreys. The action was typical of them, he said. The Acting Government Medical Officer (Dr. F.W.D. Collier) said that death was caused by suffocation due to drowning. Death had occurred nine or 10 days before the post mortem.

Lena Plain, of Coon Island, Swansea, said that about 6.30 pm on the night of May 24, when close to the channel bank, she saw Humphreys standing with his back to the side wall of a house, looking towards the channel. He had on an overcoat and felt hat. Witness spoke to him, and he returned his bidding; then she went on to Swansea. He was not there when she returned. Evidence that while walking along the shore of Lake Macquarie at Marks Point about 2.15pm on June 3 he saw Humphrey's body, partly in the water, was given by James Lenaghan, of Lenaghan's Flat, Minmi.

Humphreys was married, was a returned soldier, and was in poor health for about four years. He had ceased work for about three weeks before he disappeared. He was very weak and could not walk very far. Continuous search was made for him from the morning after he disappeared until the body was found. He was a miner, and the miners came out for one day to help in the search. They offered to come out again if required.

I have placed poppies at David’s gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King and Country.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to Ros Cheetham for the notification and information.

Lest We Forget.