A NEW book by Hervey Bay author and historian, Tony Matthews, Cloaked in Bravery — a Rescue Mission Like No Other, takes us on a true and compelling adventure into the life-
story of Mrs Christian Davies, one of the most remarkable women in military history who fought, disguised as a man, in two of Europe’s bloodiest wars.
Christian was probably in her early twenties when an aunt died, leaving her a tavern in Dublin.
Soon afterwards she married one of her servants, a man named Richard Welsh. However, Welsh was later induced to take a bowl of punch aboard a ship laden with recruits for the armies being formed in the Low Countries for the Nine Years War. He became intoxicated and was carried to Holland where he had little choice but to enlist in a regiment of foot.
Determined to find her missing husband, Christian Davies cut off her hair, dressed herself in her husband’s clothing, and, leaving behind her tavern and also her children, quickly enlisted as an ordinary foot-soldier under the name of Christopher Welsh. After being shipped to Holland she was soon afterwards involved in the Battle of Lauden where she was wounded.
Christian Davies was a woman who entered a harsh soldiers' world and fought with courage and honour. She feared nothing and would frequently expose herself to extreme danger by going to the aid of wounded comrades. Had she lived in more modern times she would, almost certainly, have been awarded a Victoria Cross.
Author, Tony Matthews stated:
‘I think it was the intense love she maintained for her husband that really captured my attention. I was stunned and in awe of a woman who would literally give up everything, including her children and her business, to go off to find her husband who was stuck in the middle of two of the most dangerous and bloody wars ever fought on European soil. Christian was an awe-inspiring woman and she certainly inspired me to write this book.’
For those who love a true tale of free spirits, of courage and enterprise, then Christian Davies’ story is just such an adventure.
Published by Big Sky Publishing, Cloaked in Bravery — a Rescue Mission Like No Other is available from your favourite book stores or online through Booktopia and Amazon.
