Eric Davidson (survivor)
Encyclopedia
John "Eric" Davidson was one of the last survivors of the Halifax Explosion
.
He was 2 and 1/2 years old when he was blinded by the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917. At the time of his death in 2009, Davidson was the second to last living survivor with permanent injuries from the Halifax Explosion, which killed more than 1,600 people.
Davidson was born to parents Georgina (née
Williams) and John William Davidson. He was blinded by shattered glass in the explosion, which occurred due to the collision between the SS Mont-Blanc
and the SS Imo. At the time of the accident, Davidson was in his family's living room
with his mother and sister. He was playing with his toy train on the window sill. The family was alerted to the collision by smoke rising from the harbour. Davidson was facing the glass windows when the blast occurred. The force of the explosion shattered the glass, completely blinding him.
Davidson and his family moved to Halifax Commons, a makeshift camp set up for survivors of the Explosion. He attended the Halifax School for the Blind, where he studied music. However, Davidson preferred to pursue a career in auto mechanics
, following his interests in cars. His brothers would read him auto repair manuals and he would practise on old cars in his family's backyard, using his sense of touch and memory. He later took an apprenticeship with a car dealership
in Halifax and earned his auto mechanic’s licence.
Davidson, who lived in the city's north-end, was employed by the City of Halifax as a mechanic until his retirement in 1980.
Eric Davidson died on September 9, 2009, at Grand View Manor in Berwick, Nova Scotia
, at the age of 94. He resided in Berwick for the last few years of his life. He was survived by his wife, Mary, three children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His funeral was held at the United Memorial Church in Halifax.
According to Janet Kitz, author of the book Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion and the Road to Recovery
which chronicles the disaster, Davidson's death leaves just one living survivor still receiving a pension for long-term injuries sustained in the explosion.
Halifax Explosion
The Halifax Explosion occurred on Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was devastated by the huge detonation of the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship, fully loaded with wartime explosives, which accidentally collided with the Norwegian SS Imo in "The Narrows"...
.
He was 2 and 1/2 years old when he was blinded by the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917. At the time of his death in 2009, Davidson was the second to last living survivor with permanent injuries from the Halifax Explosion, which killed more than 1,600 people.
Davidson was born to parents Georgina (née
NEE
NEE is a political protest group whose goal was to provide an alternative for voters who are unhappy with all political parties at hand in Belgium, where voting is compulsory.The NEE party was founded in 2005 in Antwerp...
Williams) and John William Davidson. He was blinded by shattered glass in the explosion, which occurred due to the collision between the SS Mont-Blanc
SS Mont-Blanc
The SS Mont-Blanc was a French freighter which exploded while carrying ammunition in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917 causing the Halifax Explosion which killed 2000 people. The explosion was caused by a collision with the Norwegian ship SS Imo...
and the SS Imo. At the time of the accident, Davidson was in his family's living room
Living room
A living room, also known as sitting room, lounge room or lounge , is a room for entertaining adult guests, reading, or other activities...
with his mother and sister. He was playing with his toy train on the window sill. The family was alerted to the collision by smoke rising from the harbour. Davidson was facing the glass windows when the blast occurred. The force of the explosion shattered the glass, completely blinding him.
Davidson and his family moved to Halifax Commons, a makeshift camp set up for survivors of the Explosion. He attended the Halifax School for the Blind, where he studied music. However, Davidson preferred to pursue a career in auto mechanics
Auto mechanic
An auto mechanic is a mechanic with a variety of car makes or either in a specific area or in a specific make of car. In repairing cars, their main role is to diagnose the problem accurately and quickly...
, following his interests in cars. His brothers would read him auto repair manuals and he would practise on old cars in his family's backyard, using his sense of touch and memory. He later took an apprenticeship with a car dealership
Car dealership
A car dealership or vehicle local distribution is a business that sells new or used cars at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary. It employs automobile salespeople to do the selling...
in Halifax and earned his auto mechanic’s licence.
Davidson, who lived in the city's north-end, was employed by the City of Halifax as a mechanic until his retirement in 1980.
Eric Davidson died on September 9, 2009, at Grand View Manor in Berwick, Nova Scotia
Berwick, Nova Scotia
Berwick is a Canadian town in Kings County, Nova Scotia. The town is located in the eastern part of the Annapolis Valley on the Cornwallis River. The town site stretches south from the river and Exit 15 of Highway 101 to Highway 1...
, at the age of 94. He resided in Berwick for the last few years of his life. He was survived by his wife, Mary, three children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His funeral was held at the United Memorial Church in Halifax.
According to Janet Kitz, author of the book Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion and the Road to Recovery
Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion and the Road to Recovery
Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion and the Road to Recovery is a 1989 Canadian non-fiction book by Janet Kitz describing the experience of the Halifax Explosion with an emphasis on the experience of ordinary people and families who became victims or survivors of the 1917 munitions explosion in...
which chronicles the disaster, Davidson's death leaves just one living survivor still receiving a pension for long-term injuries sustained in the explosion.
Additional reading
- The Survivors: The Children of the Halifax Explosion, Janet Kitz, Nimbus PublishingNimbus publishingNimbus Publishing is a Canadian publishing company, founded in 1978, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The company specializes in subjects relevant to the Atlantic Provinces...
, 1992.