YOUR TOWN

Ormond Beach family honors WWII patriarch in France

Last week, the family was welcomed by the mayor of Boisville-la-Saint-Pere to honor the legacy of Capt. William Davis, a World War II vet who was hidden in the town in 1944 by the French Resistance.

By Observer Staff
| 8:00 a.m. July 13, 2024

Estelle Roberson, Linda Davis Wilson, Tyra Wilson Roberson, Lyla Roberson, Ella Pender and Jenna Wilson Pender. Courtesy photo

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Linda Davis Wilson and her family, of Ormond Beach, honored the memory of her father, a World War II veteran, in France last week.

The family was welcomed by the mayor of Boisville-la-Saint-Pere, Magalie Robert, at the town hall, to commemorate the legacy of Capt. William Davis. According to a press release, on July 7, 1944, Davis was hit by enemy fire while flying his P38 "Swamp Angel" aircraft and forced to make an emergency landing in Saint-Léger-des-Aubées, France.

From there, he was taken by the French Resistance to Boisville-la-Saint-Père and the house of Gilbert Crombez where he was able to recover from his injuries. Later, in an exfiltration organized by the French Resistance, specifically — the Comète network — Davis was taken to the Fréteval Forest camp, where he was later rescued along with over 150 airmen.

Four generations of the Davis Wilson family were honored, in both French and English. This is the second time members of the family 'have made the commemorative sojourn to this area of France that is so near their hearts," the press release states.

According to French newspaper L'Ècho Republicain, the mayor suggested the next commemorative meeting be held in the family's home in Florida.

"It is an incredible honor to be able to celebrate and commemorate my father’s bravery and heroism, and to share it with my daughters and granddaughters," Linda Davis Wilson said in the press release. "WWII changed the course of our world’s history, and it’s especially important to share it with all of the younger generations.”