ARCHIVES and SPECIAL COLLECTIONS QUEEN ELIZABETH II LIBRARY MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, ST. JOHN'S, NL Sir Walter Edward Davidson MF-248 Website: Archives and Special Collections Author: Bert Riggs Date: 1994 Scope and Content: This small collection contains two items from Sir Walter Edward Davidson, the man who served as Governor of Newfoundland during World War I: a handwritten Christmas card and an autograph card. The Christmas card contains a photograph of Davidson's daughters, Diana and Daphne, in a cart being pulled by a Newfoundland dog. The card is undated and the photographer is not identified; however, a very similar picture, possibly taken around the same time, appeared in the Spring 1914 issue of The Newfoundland Quarterly and lists S. H. Parsons and Sons as photographer. The autograph card contains Davidson's autograph and was addressed to Warner E. Colville, Kennebunkport, Maine and dated 1916. Custodial History: The Christmas card was acquired in 1986. The autograph card was acquired from Livyers Antique Dealers, 194 Duckworth Street, St. John's, NL, in April 1994 who had obtained it from an American dealer at our request. Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to or use of these items. All patrons should be aware that copyright regulations state that any copy of archival material is to be used solely for the purpose of research and private study. Any use of the copy for any other purpose may require the authorization of the copyright owner. It is the patron's responsibility to obtain such authorization. Biography or History: Walter Edward Davidson (1839-1923), civil servant, colonial secretary, Governor of Newfoundland (1913-18), was born in Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland on 20 April 1859. He married twice: he and his second wife, Margaret Agnes Fielding, were the parents of two daughters, Diana and Daphne. Davidson died in Sydney, Australia on 15 September 1923. After graduation from Christ's College, Cambridge he joined the British Foreign Service and was posted to Ceylon in 1880. After a 22-year stay in Ceylon during which time he served in a number of administrative posts, in 1902 he was appointed Colonial Secretary of the Transvaal. In 1904 he was made Governor of the Seychelles. In 1913 he was transferred to Newfoundland where he remained as colonial governor during most of World War I. In 1914 he became chair of the Newfoundland Patriotic Committee, later the Patriotic Association of Newfoundland. On 7 August 1914, with the approval of Prime Minister Edward Morris, Davidson telegraphed the British government with notification of Newfoundland's willingness to raise and equip a Newfoundland regiment and to expand the existing Royal Naval Reserve. On 21 August, Davidson issued a proclamation requesting Newfoundland men to enlist in the regiment. On 12 August Davidson and Morris organized a meeting of prominent St. John's citizens to direct the Newfoundland war effort. This committee, the Newfoundland Patriotic Committee, was reorganized as the Patriotic Association of Newfoundland (commonly called the Newfoundland Patriotic Association) and delegated all necessary power to organize, equip and administer the regiment, powers usually reserved by the government. Davidson remained as governor of Newfoundland during much of World War I. He assumed the position of Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Newfoundland Regiment (later the Royal Newfoundland Regiment), served as chair of the Patriotic Association, and participated actively in recruitment campaigns, frequently assuming powers which exceed advisory and ceremonial aspects of his office. In 1917, the formation of a National Government (announced 16 July 1917) resulted in the replacement of the Patriotic Association by the Department of Militia, with direct responsibility for the maintenance of the regiment, and the removal of Davidson as governor. In 1918 he was appointed Governor of New South Wales, a position he held until shortly before his death in September 1923. Davidson was an avid sportsman, enjoying golfing matches, the Regatta, curling, hockey, croquet, sportfishing and regular walks and hikes around St. John's and the surrounding area. He was knighted in 1914 for services rendered as a colonial administrator. Arrangement: 1.0 Christmas card (28 x 11.4 cm folded to make two leaves 14 x 11.4 cm): front "BestWishes" engraved in gold with decorative motif work; inside verso: "with best Wishesfor a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year" and "GovernmentHouse St. John's" handwritten; inside recto: photographic reproduction in sepiatones of Diana and Daphne Davidson in a cart being pulled by a Newfoundland dog, withbrown mat framing and holding the image, with caption "Diana and Daphne"; back: blank.No date [c. 1914]. 2.0 Autograph card (8.3 x 6.6 cm) bearing "Walter Davidson Governor of Newfoundland"and "specimen autograph July 15, 1916" in Davidson's handwriting, accompanied by anenvelope (10.9 x 7.35 cm) addressed to "Warner C. Colville Cliff House Kennebuckport Maine" and postmarked "St. John's, Nfld., July 17, 1916". Writtenacross the left side of the envelope at right angles to the address: "Davidson Walter Gov. of Newfoundland". Postage stamp with corner torn off. 1.0 Christmas card, c.1914 1.01 Christmas card, c.1914 1.01.001 Diana and Daphne Davidson in a cart being pulled by a Newfoundland dog, c. 1914 2.0 Autograph card, 1916 2.01 Autograph card, 1916.