William John Gordon Davis was born in Ballarat and was a Woodworker by trade when he enlisted in the 2nd Field Ambulance, 15th Reinforcement on 9 July 1915 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 1 March 1916.

On August 31st 1916 it was announced he had been awarded the Military Medal æFor distinguished gallantry. On 9th August 1916 at Bir-el-Abd in company with Capt. Jamieson and Drivers Crawford and Thompson, he went with a sandcart to the left flank. Leaving the nearer wounded, they passed through the line which was rapidly retiring, reached two wounded men in front. Under heavy rifle and shell fire, loaded them into the cart with great difficulty as bursting shells were frightening the horses and causing them to plungeàà The party returned, with their harness in a tangled condition, picking up three other wounded on the way back.' He was troubled by appendicitis through August and September 1916, but in October he again came under notice, being Mentioned in Despatches. He was assigned to escort duty as a nursing orderly on the Vestalia returning to Australia in early 1917.
Tree No. 800