True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: June, 2018
Reg.#14227, Constable Beverley Price Davies, LLB., QC.
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
I want to express my thanks to Mr. Fred Davies for sending me the career details of his father Beverley Price Davies as well as his obituary which is reprinted here as well as the photos of his Dad.
Beverley Price Davies, LLB, QC., was born on February 14, 1920 in Toronto, ON. He joined the RCMP prior to WWII. His father was the Chief of Police in Port Colborne at the time and he urged Beverley Davies to join the RCMP.
When Canada entered the war, Beverley decided to leave the RCMP to join the Navy with his other two brothers, achieving the rank of Lieutenant. He was scheduled to return to the Navy after Law School as a Lieutenant Commander, but he was diagnosed with TB and so he was unable to return to active duty. Beverley Davies overcame the disease and returned to his home town of Port Colborne and he practiced law for over 40 years.
He was named the first Vice Chair, and later Chair, of the Niagara Regional Police ommission in 1970 and served on that Board for over 12 years. His life was dedicated to the law in many forms.
"Beverley Davis passed away peacefully at home with his wife and children at his side after a brief battle with cancer on Saturday June 11, 2005 in his 86th year. He was predeceased by his parents Frederick and Rosanna Davies, his brothers Frederick and Richard Davies and his sister Rose Davies Smyth. Beloved husband of Wynne Davies (63rd year of marriage), father of Beverley Jane Davies-Fraser (Jim Barritt) of Red Deer Alberta and Frederick John Davies (Monica) of Welland, grandfather of Courtney Fraser-Mason (Chris); Alex Fraser, Jacqueline Davies, Rosie Davies and Conrad Davies.
The Davies family has had a long tradition of professional service to Port Colborne and Niagara.
Beverley practiced Law in Port Colborne for over 40 years. He began his career in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1941. He had the unique honour of being assigned as Sir Winston Churchill’s body guard during a visit in Canada.
At the beginning of WWII, Beverley joined the Royal Canadian Navy and achieved the rank of Lieutenant serving on the HMCS Prescott, a Canadian frigate. His main task was seeking out German submarines and escorting war ships through dangerous waters.
Following the war, Beverley enrolled in Osgoode Hall Law School which lead to his return to Port Colborne after his graduation in Law in 1951.
He served as Assistant Crown Attorney for Welland County and was named Queen’s Counsel in 1966.
He served on many community and regional organizations including many years as Chair of the Niagara Regional Police Commission, Chair of the Port Colborne General Hospital Board of Directors, Member of the Board of the Shaver Hospital, President of the Port Colborne Club and a number of other community endeavours.
In business, he founded Laketown Investments Limited and Aberdare Developments Inc. which have constructed many buildings in Port Colborne. He was a member of the Port Colborne Lions Club and was a lifelong member of the Port Colborne Baptist Church.
Beverley will be fondly remembered for his generous spirit and his keen and quick sense of humour, his love of music and the trumpet he played for almost 80 years.
The family would like to extend a special note of thanks to the many people who assisted them through this difficult time. In particular the Canadian Red Cross, the nurses of St. Elizabeth Health Care, the Alzheimer’s Society and Veteran’s Affairs.
Our heartfelt gratitude and affection goes out to Maureen Bensen, our cousin Sharla Moore and Dr. James Dewar who were always there to help when we needed it the most.
At Mr. Davies request, there will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place and will be followed by a private family burial at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Mr. Davies memory can be made to the Port Colborne General Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Red Cross or the Alzheimer’s Society.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Port Colborne Chapel of the Davidson Funeral Homes 135 Clarence St. Port Colborne, ON." Once again, I thank Mr. Fred Davies for his kindness, and for his contributions all in the memory of his Dad.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
June 23, 2018
