New Waterford in Cape Breton Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

William Davis

Memorial

— Colliery Lands Park —

William Davis Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2019

1. William Davis Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

William Davis, a miner, with the British Empire Steel Corporation (BESCO), was employed at the No. 12 Colliery, New Waterford.

In 1920, BESCO management began a targeted campaign to break the union. There were 58 strikes in the Sydney Coal Field between the years 1920-1925. During the strike, the company stopped store credit, and shut off electricity and water to the homes of the miners. On June 11, 1925, Miners marched to Waterford Lake in an effort to restore electricity and water to their homes. They were met by armed company police on horseback. A confrontation ensued. William Davis, 38, was shot and killed.

Davis was survived by his wife and ten children. Over 5,000 mourners attended the funeral of William Davis. Miners promised that no man would ever again work the black seam on Davis Day. The have kept this promise, June 11, is an annual day of remembrance.

Erected by Colliery Lands Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1925.

Location. 46° 15.133′

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N, 60° 5.899′ W. Marker is in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, in Cape Breton Region. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ellsworth Avenue (Nova Scotia Route 28) and James Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the mining heritage trail within Colliery Lands Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3696 Ellsworth Avenue, New Waterford NS B1H 2H6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Earl Leadbeater (here, next to this marker); Anderton Shearer Loader (a few steps from this marker); Joy (a few steps from this marker); Armoured Face Conveyor (within shouting distance of this marker); New Waterford World War Monument (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Standing The Gaff (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Miner's Monument (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); New Victoria Veterans Who Died Overseas (approx. 2.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Waterford.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. William Davis & Colliery Lands Park

Also see . . .
1. William Davis (Wikipedia). Davis was a coal miner from a young age. His father worked in the mines at Springhill, Nova Scotia, and his older brother, then fourteen years old, was killed in the 1891 explosion there. Davis began working for the Dominion

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2019

2. William Davis Marker

(marker on right • related monument on left)

Coal Company Limited (DOMCO) in 1905 at various collieries in the Sydney coalfield in Cape Breton, eventually graduating to become a pumpman and a roadmaker, lastly at the No. 12 Colliery in New Waterford. He married in 1907 and, by 1925, was raising a family of nine children. His wife, Myrtle, was carrying a tenth child due in September. (Submitted on June 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. William Davis Miners' Memorial Day (Wikipedia). Davis Day originated in memory of William Davis, a coal miner who was killed during a long strike by the province's coal miners against the British Empire Steel Corporation. The key events took place at Waterford Lake, near the town of New Waterford in the industrial district of Cape Breton Island. (Submitted on June 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

William Davis Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2019

3. William Davis Monument

Dedicated to the
memory of
William Davis
Born June 3, 1887
Died June 11, 1925
Remembered by
fellow miners and
citizens of
Cape Breton County

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.