Driver Kenneth James Davidson kia 22/3/1944 Island of Vis

[Photo courtesy of Mark Duffy].

In Memory of T/117802 Driver Kenneth James Davidson
who died aged 26 on 22 March 1944 on the Island of Vis.
Remembered with honour Belgrade War Cemetery.
Son of Andrew Semple Davidson and Ann Davidson, of Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

Kenneth James Davidson from Blairgowrie was attested into the Royal Army Service Corps 22 November 1939. Trade on enlistment Driver. Served with the British Expeditionary Force from 25 November 1939 to June 1940. Deployed to North Africa on 17 July 1943. Attached to No.2 Commando, part of 2 Special Service Brigade, on 25 January 1944. Killed in action 22 March 1944. Initially buried at Vis Harbour Old Cemetery on the Island of Vis before reinterred at Belgrade War Cemetery. Son of Andrew Semple Davidson and Ann Davidson, of Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
Extract from Service Record
Battle Casualty. Killed in Action. Special Operations.
Extract from No.2 Commando War Diary
"Vis 22 March 1944
Enemy attacked Komiza just before nightfall with 12 plus Junkers 88. All windows blown, walls etc of the billets blown in. Lieutenant Jupp shrapnel in shoulder. 10 minor injuries. A short sharp raid evidently directed at the Naval shiping which is normally in the harbour. Very nicely timed by the Luftwaffe. Came in over the headland dropping sticks of bombs exactly over the berths where the M.T.B.'s etc are usually berthed. Came in with the sun behind them - 10 minutes after the raid it was dark. 2 Brigade men killed one lost an arm".
Notes
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission do not list Driver Davidson as a Commando. The No.2 Commando War Diary states they had no fatalities but that 2 men died from the Special Service Brigade. Trooper Francis Hubert Jay, 2 Special Service Brigade attached to 40RM Commando was one of them. Whilst not 100% certain it is believed that Driver Davidson was the other. Both are listed one below the other on the casualty lists page.