Challenge accepted - 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks

Today 8th January 2018, I took up the challenge of "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" from Amy Johnson Crow, a family historian who generously shares her knowledge and expertise. I have spent so much time plus effort on my Family Tree, that I quite liked the idea of writing about one ancestor or other aspect of family history per week. I decided to blog as I have blogged before, with travels and family and I still have an active Blog. 

The Challenge begins today and I haven't' quite decided who my ancestor will be this week, but I am working on it and will no doubt have made a decision by tomorrow.

I made up my mind to write about  my maternal Granddad - Granddad Davidson - David Donald Davidson, born in 1892 to David Donald Davidson and Martha Ann Ramsbottom. Grandad was born on the 8th October 1892 the first child for Martha  and the fourth child for David senior. Unfortunately Martha died in 1896 when Granddad was only 4.

Granddad joined up when WW1 began and although I probably won't find my grandfathers war record as I think it is one of the "burnt records",  I have managed to find some details of his war experiences within local newspapers and the Red Cross website as well as his medal record.

 According to his medal record Donald joined up on 1st November 1914. He joined the BlackWatch regiment. In a very small article in the local newspaper he returned from the front to Monifieth in December 1915 in time for Christmas. He returned to the front and in an article in the local newspaper on 4th August 1916 he was reported as being injured. The report gave no details of his injury, however 4 days later on the 8th August another article reported on his "Miraculous Escape ". This report stated that Private David Davidson had written to his father and described his injury. He writes... Early in the morning of the 23 July I was on duty at the trenches when the side of our trench fell in, burying me up to my neck. Fortunately for me some of my comrades observed the accident and immediately commenced to dig me out. My chest and ribs were crushed ; little wonder, for about two tons of sand fell in, and I have been sent to the rear for rest. Everything that was breakable about me was broke,  My cigarette case was flattened like a pancake and my watch was smashed to fragments. I was seeing many queer things before being dug out, and believe it was my height that saved me from being buried alive. However all's  well that ends well, and am glad that I am able to write you after my encounter with mother earth" ( yes Grandad Davidson was tall and my Mum , his eldest daughter had hear stories of him being buried alive, but did not know the "story")

It was indeed a miraculous escape and David went back to the front  when he was fit for duty  to survive another ordeal in 1918. I discovered through local papers that my Grandfather's family had received notification in March 1918 that he was missing. He was officially reported missing on 21st March 1918 and on the 6th August 1918 his family were officially notified that he a POW in Germany. 
I managed to find the record for his time as a POW. From  the Black Watch site  I followed links to the International RedCross site and found an archive of PO W's  of  WW1. I found the record of David Donald Davidson. David was reported missing on 21st March 1918. There was his  record no., the prisoner number and minor details of his imprisonment.  He was captured on  21st March 1918 at Beugny, he was unwounded  and arrived from the West front at Parchim the POW camp where he stayed until he was repatriated on  November 1918,  arriving in Calais on 24th November 1918. He was recorded as Pte 268107  1/6th Black watch "B" Coy Royal Highlanders. 
On August 6th 1918, his aunt received a letter from him, he was a prisoner of the Huns and wanted a food parcel!!

Looking on the Internet there was a massive battle at Beugny on the 21st March 1918, how fortunate to have survived, many didn't. My grandfather never spoke about his war experience, he had mentioned being buried alive, but his children were unaware of his ordeals and it was a big surprise when i informed family in 2014 his eldest daughter Mary Newell (my Mum) and his second son Malcolm of his ordeal .  I don't know what happened to the correspondence from the front. He wrote to his Dad, unfortunately his dad died in 1917 and his next of kin then was Mary Davidson his Aunt who had received correspondence from him.
My Grandfather died in 1964,  He was a tall gentle man, his hands trembled this may have been a result of his war time experiences? he loved his dram or two of Scotch, often  more than two......