Colin Davidson
Encyclopedia
Colin Bancroft Davidson was a land surveyor and Captain in the Australian Military Forces
during World War II
who was awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1948.
He originally went to Papua
(now known as Papua-New Guinea) in 1929 to manage a coffee plantation, which was underwritten by a group of businessmen in Cairns, Australia
. However, due to financial issues, caused by the great depression
, the plantation was abandoned. As he was already in Papua, he applied for and was employed as a surveyor for the Papuan government, where he went on to survey the south-eastern Papuan coast and up the Kokoda track
to the Owen Stanley Range
, up until 1941 when the Imperial Japanese Army
invaded.
He was surveying and acting as a coast watcher near Gona
, Papua when the Imperial Japanese Forces came ashore at Gona, upon hearing of the landing he personally supervised the evacuation of 58 women and children from the villages along the Kokoda track
as the Japanese forces advanced, although the advancing forces were less than 8 hours behind them, he successfully reached Port Moresby
with all the evacuees in tow.
Colin Bancroft Davidson (PX227) held the rank of Captain in the Australian Military Forces
during World War II
and as a result of his services to the allied forces (US) he was awarded the US Medal of Freedom by President Truman in 1948, the honour was gazetted in the Australian Commonwealth Government Gazette on 15 April 1948. As the medal was not a Commonwealth
honour it was firstly approved by King George VI and subsequently presented to him by the then “Administrator of Papua” in Port Moresby.
The US Medal of Freedom was conferred on him as recognition of the services given during the Pacific conflict, he was assigned directly to General MacArthur to supply intelligence information regarding Papuan topography and conditions. As he had been a plantation manager and employed by the Papuan government as a Surveyor, Colin was based in and around Port Moresby during the late 20’s and most of the 30’s, he worked to survey from the coast to the Owen Stanley Range, so his intimate knowledge of the terrain, particularly Gona
/ Buna
and along the Kokoda track, was invaluable. He then went with McArthur, as part of the advanced echelon, to assist him in the Philippines
. General MacArthur was personally responsible for commending him as a medal recipient.
The wording of the citation for Colin Davidson's Medal of Freedom was as follows:
After the war he remained in the Australian Government’s service until his retirement in the 1960s. Colin Bancroft Davidson died in September 1979.
In 2005 a book entitled "A Basis for Victory - The Allied Geographical Section 1942-1946" written by Reuben R.E Bowd, was published. This book explores the work of the Allied Geographical Section and its part in contributing to the allied victory in the Pacific. References to Colin Davidson and his appearance in several of the photographic illustrations can be found in this book.
Colin's brother was Sir Charles William Davidson who was a distinguished Australian Army Officer, who served in both World War I
and World War II and went on to become a Federal Minister in the Australian Government during the 1950s & 60s.
Australian Military Forces
The Australian Military Forces was the official name of the Army of Australia from 1916 to 1980. This encompassed both the "regular army", and the forces, variously known during this period as the Militia, the Citizen Military Forces and the Australian Citizen Military Force .Initially this...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who was awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1948.
He originally went to Papua
Papua (Australian territory)
The Territory of Papua comprised the southeastern quarter of the island of New Guinea from 1883 to 1949. It became a British Protectorate in the year 1884, and four years later it was formally annexed as British New Guinea...
(now known as Papua-New Guinea) in 1929 to manage a coffee plantation, which was underwritten by a group of businessmen in Cairns, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. However, due to financial issues, caused by the great depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, the plantation was abandoned. As he was already in Papua, he applied for and was employed as a surveyor for the Papuan government, where he went on to survey the south-eastern Papuan coast and up the Kokoda track
Kokoda Track
The Kokoda Trail or Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs overland — in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea...
to the Owen Stanley Range
Owen Stanley Range
Owen Stanley Range is the south-eastern part of the central mountain-chain in Papua New Guinea. It was seen in 1849 by Captain Owen Stanley while surveying the south coast of Papua and named after him. Strictly, the eastern extremity of the range is Mount Victoria , which was climbed by Sir William...
, up until 1941 when the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
invaded.
He was surveying and acting as a coast watcher near Gona
Gona
-History:Gona was the site of an Anglican church and mission.During World War II, Imperial Japanese troops invaded on 21–22 July 1942 and established it as a base. Three missionaries were captured at Gona, Father James Benson, May Hayman and Mavis Parkins. The two women and a six year old boy were...
, Papua when the Imperial Japanese Forces came ashore at Gona, upon hearing of the landing he personally supervised the evacuation of 58 women and children from the villages along the Kokoda track
Kokoda Track
The Kokoda Trail or Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs overland — in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea...
as the Japanese forces advanced, although the advancing forces were less than 8 hours behind them, he successfully reached Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
with all the evacuees in tow.
Colin Bancroft Davidson (PX227) held the rank of Captain in the Australian Military Forces
Australian Military Forces
The Australian Military Forces was the official name of the Army of Australia from 1916 to 1980. This encompassed both the "regular army", and the forces, variously known during this period as the Militia, the Citizen Military Forces and the Australian Citizen Military Force .Initially this...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and as a result of his services to the allied forces (US) he was awarded the US Medal of Freedom by President Truman in 1948, the honour was gazetted in the Australian Commonwealth Government Gazette on 15 April 1948. As the medal was not a Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
honour it was firstly approved by King George VI and subsequently presented to him by the then “Administrator of Papua” in Port Moresby.
The US Medal of Freedom was conferred on him as recognition of the services given during the Pacific conflict, he was assigned directly to General MacArthur to supply intelligence information regarding Papuan topography and conditions. As he had been a plantation manager and employed by the Papuan government as a Surveyor, Colin was based in and around Port Moresby during the late 20’s and most of the 30’s, he worked to survey from the coast to the Owen Stanley Range, so his intimate knowledge of the terrain, particularly Gona
Gona
-History:Gona was the site of an Anglican church and mission.During World War II, Imperial Japanese troops invaded on 21–22 July 1942 and established it as a base. Three missionaries were captured at Gona, Father James Benson, May Hayman and Mavis Parkins. The two women and a six year old boy were...
/ Buna
Buna
Buna may refer to the official Mbum language of Cameroon, as well as:People:*Buna Lawrie, an Australian Aboriginal musician.Places:*Buna village, a small Bosnia and Herzegovina village at the confluence of the Buna and Neretva rivers...
and along the Kokoda track, was invaluable. He then went with McArthur, as part of the advanced echelon, to assist him in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. General MacArthur was personally responsible for commending him as a medal recipient.
The wording of the citation for Colin Davidson's Medal of Freedom was as follows:
CITATION FOR MEDAL OF FREEDOM
Captain COLIN B. DAVIDSON, PX227, Australian Intelligence Corps, Australian Imperial Forces. For meritorious service which has aided the United States in the prosecution of the war against Japan in the Southwest Pacific Area, from 18 November 1942 to 31 October 1945. Assigned to duty with the Allied Geographical Section, General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, which later became United States Army Forces, Pacific, Captain Davidson displayed outstanding professional skill in coping with unprecedented problems incident to the formulation and execution of policies and standing operating procedures for intelligence activities throughout the theater. Devoting the most painstaking application and resourcefulness to the accomplishment of his vital tasks, he was instrumental in effecting the early and extensive distribution of Terrain Handbooks which proved highly effective in orienting all forces for major operations against the enemy. Similarly, he compiled voluminous intelligence information reports and lent invaluable assistance to strategic and tactical planning agencies. Working long, arduous hours and evidencing at all times the highest devotion to duty, Captain Davidson, through his skillful accomplishment of a difficult mission, contributed in great measure to the success of military operations in the Southwest pacific Area.
Address; Mitchelton, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
After the war he remained in the Australian Government’s service until his retirement in the 1960s. Colin Bancroft Davidson died in September 1979.
In 2005 a book entitled "A Basis for Victory - The Allied Geographical Section 1942-1946" written by Reuben R.E Bowd, was published. This book explores the work of the Allied Geographical Section and its part in contributing to the allied victory in the Pacific. References to Colin Davidson and his appearance in several of the photographic illustrations can be found in this book.
Colin's brother was Sir Charles William Davidson who was a distinguished Australian Army Officer, who served in both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II and went on to become a Federal Minister in the Australian Government during the 1950s & 60s.