He was the son of Mr. Peter Davis, one of the oldest colonists of Natal, was born at Pietermaritzburg on the 26th November, 1859. He was at the High School for five years, from 1873 to Christmas, 1877. When he left he had attained the position of third in the First Class. He entered a merchant's office in this City, and became a trooper in the Natal Carbineers, falling at Isandhlwana on 22nd January, 1879. With Blaikie, his body was found close to that of the noble Durnford.