Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Saunderson Davenport, a reporter and writer of sporting literature, born 1854, in Skeffington, Leicestershire, and who was baptised on the 5th February 1854 in Skeffington and his wife Margaret Frances Davenport (nee Goodisson, married on the 17th January 1892 in Leamington, Warwickshire), born 1869 in Durham. Vyvyan Hope Lancelot was born in the 1st quarter of 1896 in Skeffington, he had one sibling, a sister, Vanda Hyan, born 1900 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, also residing in the family home was Vyvyan’s paternal Aunt, Jessie Frances Davenport, a spinster, born 1858 in Skeffington, in March 1901 the family home was at 33, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Vyvyan was absent from the family home at The Rectory, Little Easton, Dunmow, Essex, residing there was his father, a hunting correspondent, his mother and his sister, Vanda, Vyvyan was a schoolboy and was residing as a boarder at Mt. Arlington, Hindhead, Surrey.
On Friday January 22nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON YOUTH GAZETTED. – Mr. V. H. L. Davenport, (son of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Davenport, of Hamilton House, Melton Mowbray), who joined the C Company 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at the outbreak of the war as a recruit, was on Tuesday gazetted as a second lieutenant in the Regular Force Infantry. Lieutenant Davenport is only 19 years of age.
On Friday November 26th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - OFF TO THE FRONT. Second Lieutenant Vyvyan H. L. Davenport, (son of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Davenport, Hamilton House, Melton Mowbray), left yesterday week to join his regiment, the 8th Leicesters, at the front, his Colonel having already specially applied two or three times for him. It is interesting to note that before the regiment left England the officers, 51 in number, held a revolver competition on Salisbury Plain, with the result that Lieut. Davenport, although the youngest and junior of the lot, beat them all.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - 3.00 am. Dispositions as follows, Battalion Headquarters same place as above, “D” Company in 2 lines of 2 platoons with its right on the railway 200 yards in front of north edge of wood. “C” Company moved up to the north edge, “B” Company supporting 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT lying in the north east corner of the wood, “A” Company supported the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT lying out in the open on the eastern side of the wood. Battalion raiders and “D” Company bombers were lying out in front of “D” Company 1st wave. During our intense bombardment from 3.00 am., enemy subjected the north edge of the wood and the wood itself to very heavy bombardment and machine gun fire. 3.25 am. “D” Company advanced preceded by the raiders and bombers to their objective which was about 100 yards of VILLA TRENCH to the left of the railway LEFT TRENCH and ASTON TRENCH. During intense bombardment they crept up as close as possible. In the actual attack this Company suffered considerably from hostile machine gun fire, not a single officer reaching VILLA TRENCH. The Company was led by its N.C.O.’s. Very little opposition was encountered once VILLA TRENCH was reached, dug outs were immediately bombed and the Lewis guns which followed up closely took up a position in VILLA TRENCH and caused a considerable number of casualties amongst the retreating enemy. Although the majority of the raiders had been knocked out, the remainder did excellent work in bombing towards the left flank and blocking VILLA and ASTON TRENCHES. “D” Company consolidated these trenches as quickly as possible. At 4.25 am. “C” Company and 1st waves of “A” and “B” Companies advanced over the 450 yards of no man’s land and arrived at BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD, “C” Company going up the west side of the wood as far as FOREST TRENCH support, eventually advancing with 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT as far as the north edge of the wood on the way bombing two enemy dug outs in the wood. This Company’s final position was from ASTON TRENCH to within about 100 yards of North West corner of wood. “B” Company and “A” Company on arrival at the wood pushed forward in support of 7th and 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT the whole three advancing to the north edge of the wood and BAZENTIN LE PETIT village. The enemy put up a strong resistance in FOREST TRENCH but withdrew to the outskirts of the village and the extreme north east corner of the wood, the time was about 8.00 am. During the advance over no man’s land a number of casualties received due to enemy machine gun situated in the middle of the wood on platforms up large trees. About 5.00 am. Commanding Officer and Adjutant came over to south west corner of wood where Battalion Headquarters was established. 5.25 am. Last wave of “A” and “B” Companies came over and passed right through the wood to the north edge. 5.00 am. Enemy counter attacked up ASTON and VILLA TRENCHES with bombs and rifle grenades, “C” Company under 2nd Lieutenant ALEXANDER formed bombing parties and drove them back, the latter and the Colonel losing their lives about this time. The left flank was continually rifle grenaded till about 2.30 pm. 10.00 am. Enemy counter attacked the north edge of the wood but were repulsed by rifle and Lewis gun fire after 3 hours of fighting. About this time 50 men were sent up from FOREST TRENCH where they were consolidating to support “C” Company’s right. Every effort was now made to consolidate positions gained. From 3.00 to 4.15 pm enemy bombarded BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and no man’s land very heavily, using tear shells, when the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT came up with reinforcements. Night of 14th/15th. North edge of wood was much troubled by a party of enemy entrenched outside, who caused several casualties with rifle grenades and sniping. This party was eventually driven out by stokes gun on night of 16th/17th instant.
On Friday July 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LIEUT. DAVENPORT WOUNDED. – Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Davenport, of Hamilton House, Melton Mowbray, who have been staying at Cromer, received a telegram from the War Office informing them that their son Lieut. Vyvyan Hope Lancelot Davenport, was wounded on July 18th. On the outbreak of the war, Lieut. Davenport joined the local Territorials as a private, and on subsequently receiving his commission he was transferred to the Leicestershire Regulars. About a month ago Lieut. Davenport was offered by his Brigadier a post as military instructor at the base, but he gallantly refused to leave the fighting line.
On Friday August 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – SECOND-LIEUT. V. H. L. DAVENPORT. So far nothing has been heard of this young officer, beyond confirmation of the War Office telegram on July 20th, that he had been wounded on the 16th. This came in the shape of two local letters from men in Mr. Davenport’s platoon, who had apparently seen him fall, though themselves happily escaping injuries. It is hoped that news of his whereabouts and the nature of his wounds will not now be long delayed, as the Secretary of State for War telegraphed on Saturday evening that a special enquiry had been ordered with regard to 2nd-Lieut. Vyvyan Davenport, whilst his father has been further notified that apart from War Office enquiries, Gen. Bingham has personally taken the case in hand.
On Friday August 11th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – SECOND-LIEUT. VYVYAN DAVENPORT. We are sorry to learn on enquiry that the rumours current as to the favourable nature of the latest telegram from the War Office regarding this young officer are founded on misapprehension. Telegraphing on Friday August 4th, the Secretary of State for War reported that as a result of the special enquiry ordered by the War Office, it has been ascertained that 2nd-Lieut. V. H. L. Davenport, of the Leicesters, had been wounded in the arm on Friday July 14th, and not as originally announced on Sunday, July 16th, whilst the message added that no further information had been received. Although the news cannot be regarded as entirely reassuring, it confirms, nevertheless, the original telegram that the officer in question had been wounded, not killed, so grounds still remain for hope that tidings of his whereabouts may yet come through, despite the fact that he has now been lost sight of for exactly a month. Apart from official enquiries, independent action is being taken this week by a military authority, and it is understood that a telegram may arrive any moment at Melton giving news of the missing officer, as result of direct communications by telephone with the British Headquarters Staff in France. The last trustworthy news of him is to the effect that he was seen standing, armed like his men, with a rifle and bayonet, awaiting the order to charge. If so, it is possible he may also have discarded his officer’s tunic for a Tommy’s, in which case, if he is suffering from shell shock, inability to get news is the more readily to be understood.
And in the same issue under the heading. – LIEUT. VYVYAN DAVENPORT. Just before we went to press last evening, Mrs. Davenport received the following telegram with reference to her son, Lieut. Vyvyan Davenport:- “Telephone message received from headquarters in France yesterday states result of private enquiry, son last seen by corporal slightly wounded. Since missing believed prisoner.”
On Friday August 18th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – SECOND-LIEUT. V. H. L. DAVENPORT. As a result of inquiries we learn that definite news of the fate of this young officer is still lacking. The telegram received on Thursday in last week was followed on Friday by a communication by post giving fuller particulars of the enquiry made by the British Headquarters Staff, in France. Therein it was stated that Lieut. V. Davenport had been last seen in the north-west corner of Bazentin-le-Petit Wood at 8.30 a.m. on July 14th, the date on which the second lines of the German trenches were stormed and taken. He was slightly wounded but was still carrying on with his men. This information was supplied by Corpl. Berrington. The message added that the troops were rather mixed up at the time, and officers were not always in charge of their own men, and that in the opinion of the regiment, Leiut. Davenport is a prisoner. A sort of pathetic interest attaches just now to the humorous stories the missing officer told of his experiences before going to the front. One such, perhaps, will bear re-telling:- Discipline was not the most praiseworthy feature, owing to the presence of a rowdy element, of a certain platoon, and eventually Lieut. Davenport was ordered to take command. His appointment was speedily justified, though the platoon could not refrain from showing its sense of humour at his boyish appearance. Thus when marching its most popular song had for its refrain “And a little child shall lead them,” a refrain that was simply bawled in his ears. The following extract is from a letter received on August 16th by Mrs. Davenport, from Capt. H. L. Beardsley:- “I cannot help feeling that your son has been taken prisoner and not killed, or we should have had some kind of intimation from the burial party who went up into the wood which we had taken, and made a thorough search. He was shot through the right arm and was last seen pluckily trying to fire a rifle, although wounded. Since then no trace has been found of him, or his men whom he had with him. All of us miss him greatly; he was extremely popular with his brother officers, and his platoon, who were only too willing to follow him anywhere. Your boy had been under my command ever since he joined the Battalion, and I shall go on hoping, and pray that ere long news of his safety will come through.”
On Friday September 15th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – SECOND-LIEUT. V. H. L. DAVENPORT. The casualty list published last Saturday contains the following reference to Second Lieut. Vyvyan Davenport:- “Previously reported wounded, now reported wounded and missing.” We learn on enquiry at Hamilton House that the fate of this young officer only becomes wrapped in deeper mystery as time goes on. The special enquiry ordered by the War Office showed that he was last seen in Bazentin Wood, shot through the arm, but still fighting. A letter subsequently reached Melton from the front in which it was stated that he had been killed by shell fire. As recently as last Sunday a communication was received from the British Red Cross giving the following report, furnished by Pte. Aldridge:- “On or about July 14th at Mametz Wood, while advancing with full battalion through the wood, we met the Prussian Guards, and fighting took place at close range. Time 9.30 to 10 a.m., I was close by Lieut, Davenport, and saw him shot in the neck from machine gun, Lieut. Davenport was killed instantaneously.” Again, on Tuesday last, September 12th, Mrs. Davenport received a letter from Capt. H. L. Beardsley, enclosing a letter from Sergt. Perry, of which the following is an extract:- “I am sorry I cannot give you any definite information regarding Mr. Davenport, I only saw him up to a certain point, but had time to admire his splendid dash. I met a soldier in hospital who said he saw him lying badly wounded in the wood (Bazentin).” Although serving to intensify the suspense, such conflicting reports seem to afford a faint hope even yet that Lieut. Davenport may have been taken prisoner, as the search parties failed to discover any trace of him, or of his soldier servant, Pte. Blair, who was with him in the north-west corner of Bazentin Wood, when Corporal Berrington was sent back for reinforcements. The prevailing doubt and uncertainty are further emphasised by the circumstances that in the matter of the two woods, Mametz and Bazentin, the reports hitherto made are absolutely at variance, let alone those promising to deal circumstantially with the young officer’s fate.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – 2ND LIEUT. V. H. L. DAVENPORT. – We learn on enquiry at Hamilton House that undue reliance is not placed on the belief that this young officer is a prisoner in Germany. What alone lends its support is the receipt of a letter written within the last few days from Sergeant Perry, giving yet another different version of what happened to Lieut. Davenport on July 14th. Originally, according to Corporal Berrington, recently killed, Mr. Davenport was wounded in the right arm in Bazentin Wood, but “carried on.” Subsequently Private Aldridge asserted that he was killed instantaneously in Mametz Wood. A third report was that he had been killed by a shell. Sergeant Perry has now written that, according to Private Moore, he was wounded in the left wrist. The following extract is from Sergeant Perry’s letter: “I will gladly do anything I can to assist in clearing up the mystery surrounding Mr. V. H. L. Davenport.” Many soldiers have arrived here who saw and fought with him on July 14th, but none can give any information beyond testifying to his gallantry and reckless courage. Private J. O. Moore states:- “I was with Mr. Davenport on July 14th in a trench about half way up Bazentin Wood. He was wounded in his left wrist, and I bound his wounds. The time was almost 9.30am. We then received orders to move forward again. Shortly afterwards I was wounded, and Mr. Davenport ordered me to the dressing station; but he himself went forward. Private Moore does not remember who were the men with Mr. Davenport at the time.”
On Friday March 5th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LIEUT. V. H. L. DAVENPORT.” – We learn that the relatives of Lieut. Vyvyan H. Lancelot Davenport, of whom nothing has been heard since last summer, have been notified by the War Office that it is necessary for the Army Council to consider whether they must not now conclude that this officer is dead. It may be remembered that he was reported wounded on July 14th 1916, and subsequently as wounded and missing, in connection with the engagement at Bazentin Wood, when the Prussian Guards were heavily defeated. The report of Lieut. Davenport came from Private J. O. Moore, who stated that he had bound up his disabled arm, and that when he in turn was wounded, Lieut. Davenport ordered him back to the dressing station, but himself declined to leave the fighting line. The fact that this young officer’s name is not down in any of the Prussian lists of British prisoners was conveyed to his parents last Christmas by friends in America who had been in direct communication with the American Embassy in Berlin.