Admiral Edward Henry Meggs Davis.

"Admiral Edward Henry Meggs Davis (1846-1929) served in Japan at the bombardment of Kagosima, 1863, and at the capture of the Forts Simonoseki, 1864. He was a member of the Naval Brigade during the Kaffir War, 1877-1878, and took part in the Zulu War of 1879. Davis was involved in the establishment of British dominion over the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, hoisting the flag on thirteen islands of the Gilbert Group during 1892. He was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of Jamaica in 1900, and subsequently became Assessor to the House of Lords in Admiralty Appeals. He died on 6 October 1929.

An incomplete, printed report, 86 pages, with manuscript marginal annotations and a 2-page typed introduction by the R.C.S. Librarian. The report comprises papers respecting the declaration of a British Protectorate over the Gilbert Islands by Captain Davis, of H.M.S. 'Royalist', and general reports on the Gilbert, Ellice and Marshall Islands. The original cover, which is made out of a linen-backed chart of Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, is bound in at the start. Loose with the volume is a typescript copy of some of the sections of the report."
Source: Mrs C.R. Swayne, 1922.

Yes he did take part in the Zulu War of 1879.

Commander HMS Bodicea
Medal with Clasp 1877-8-9

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Western Morning News 08 October 1929

On 20 Feb 1879 Commander Edward H. M. Davis volunteered for service with the Naval Transport Service in the Zulu war, after news of the Isandhlwana disaster reached England, and he was sent to South Africa aboard the steam ship “Manora” on the 21st of February.  He arrived at Natal on 17 March for service ashore, and his name was placed on the books of the flagship “Boadicea” as a supernumerary officer.  He served as a transport officer at Durban until 31 July when he was sent to Port Durnford where he remained until 27 September.  On 28 October he departed Cape Town aboard the steam ship “Arab” for England arriving there on 17 October 1879.  Local newspapers reported that he was sent home due to “having contracted fever whilst doing duty as transport officer at Port Durnford.”  For his time ashore at the Cape in 1877 and 1878 with the Naval Brigade from HMS Active and for service at Port Durnford during the Zulu War he was entitled to the South Africa Medal with clasp “1877-8-9.”

Tom

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"Edward Henry Meggs Davis

Admiral Edward Henry Meggs Davis, C.M.G., O.B.E., J.P., Royal Navy, Retired (18 August, 1846 – 6 October, 1929) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

As a Sub-Lieutenant, Davis served in the screw frigate Dorisfrom 13 November, 1867 and then in the ironclad warship Ocean. Davis was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 4 April, 1870.

Davis was specially promoted to the rank of Commander, for services at the Cape of Good Hope, with seniority of 14 August, 1878.

After just over two weeks in command of Daring, Davis transferred to the turret ship Wivern on 19 March, 1885. This was deemed a temporary command, and Davis apparently went back to Daring soon thereafter. Davis was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1887. On 8 March, 1887 he took passage home by mail steamer and went on half pay as he took Torpedo and Gunnery courses.

Davis impressed Amiral Dowell in 1885 as being a good photographer.

On 6 August, 1889, Davis was informed that "in view of small number of marks obtained at R. N. Coll. exam, he cannot have taken due advantage of the opportunities of study." On 30 August, 1889, however, Commodore Markham reported that Davis had "carried on arduous work during the manoeuvres with energy & ability."

In 1892, Davis hoisted the British flag in thirteen islands of the Gilbert Group and in 1894 received the C.M.G. "for services connected with certain islands in the Western Pacific."

He was appointed in command of the battleship Royal Sovereignon 8 June, 1897.

In August and September 1897 the Admiralty told Davis that his interview with a newspaper correspondent on the subject of Naval Discipline was not suitable and that his explanation of the matter was not considered "by any means satisfactory." Davis was to exercise greater discretion in such matters in future.

Davis was appointed in command of the second class battleship Howe on 19 March, 1898.

Davis was appointed to H.M.S. Urgent on 13 January, 1900 as Commodore, Second Class in Charge, Jamaica. In August, he became a member of the Legislative Council of Jamaica.

He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 13 March, 1901, vice Pearson and superseded in Jamaica on 22 March. He returned to Bristol and transferred Jamaican command to Commodore Daniel McN. Riddel on 2 May, 1901.
Davis was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 8 June, 1905, vice Brackenbury, and, in accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, he was placed on the Retired List, at his own request, on 26 June.

Davis's name was added to a list of Nautical Assessors in the House of Lords on 23 February, 1906 and was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 5 November, 1908.

On 4 July, 1910, Davis returned from leave to Australia.

Having been re-appointed as a Nautical Assessor several times, Davis resigned his post on 31 January, 1929. He died later that year after a fall from a bedroom window he had been trying to repair. An inquest the following day determined that death was accidental.

Edward Henry Meggs of 17 Knowle Road, Bexhill, retired admiral; 83; fell from a Window.

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The Davis Diaries

http://www.janeresture.com/kiribati_davis/index.htm

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Bexhill-on-Sea Observer 12 October 1929