Biography:

Dr. Greta Isobel (Yeoman) Davison was born in Northallerton, England on the 12th of July 1895. Dr. Davison was the eldest of 4 children born to John Pattison Yeoman and the former Elizabeth Proctor. Her siblings were; Joyce Pattison Yeoman (born in 1897), Kathleen Pattison Yeoman (born in 1900) and Elizabeth Pattison Yeoman (born in 1902 and died in 1907).  Dr. Davison grew up a child of privilege.  Her father was a wealthy manufacturer, the owner of a linen mill.  According to the 1901 census, her family lived at #82 The Close in Brompton, Northallerton, Yorkshire, England.  Her parents employed a nurse to care for their daughters, a cook and housemaids.

When she was 15 years old, Dr. Davison attended a boarding school called Hendon Hall, in Middlesex, England.  Further, Dr. Davison attended St Mary’s Medical College in London England.  She graduated M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. in 1921. After graduation she emigrated to Canada and practiced medicine in Blenheim, Ontario.

Dr. Davison’s sister Joyce also became a medical doctor.  Dr. Joyce Pattison Yeoman registered with the United Kingdom Medical Registry on the 3rd of August, 1923.  Her qualifications were listed as M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. London 1923.  Also M.B., B.S. 1925 University of London.  According to the 1935 through 1955 U.K. Medical Registry, Dr. Yeoman practiced at her family’s estate, The Close, Brompton, Northallerton, England.  Dr. Davison’s sisters never married.  Her parents and her sisters are buried at the St. Thomas Churchyard in Brompton, Northallerton.

Dr. Greta Davison married Wilfred “Taffy” Davison on the 6th of March, 1926, in Toronto.  Mr. Davison was born on the 20th of April, 1891 in Chester, England.  He was the 3rd of 7 children born to Johnathon Davison and the former Eleanor Ainsworth Cooper.  His father was a shipowner and his siblings were; Philip, Herbert, Myles, Thomas, Margaret and Clement.  On the marriage certificate it lists Mr. Davison’s occupation as a farmer in Harwich Twp, near Blenheim.

According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Registry, Dr. Davison joined the College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 22nd of April, 1926.  Dr. Davison joined Dr. Alexander Laird Story in his medical practice in Blenheim in 1934.  In the early 1950’s Dr. Davison moved to Oakville, Ontario.

Mr. Wilfred Davison served with the Canadian Armed Services in World War I.  He enlisted on the 21st of January, 1915 in Stratford, Ontario.   He was 5’11” tall, 180 pounds with blue eyes and light coloured hair.  His civilian occupation was listed as “teacher of agriculture”.  Mr. Davison was attached to the 2nd Heavy Battery Division and his unit saw action in France.  His unit was demobilized and Mr. Davison was discharged as a Sgt on the 13th of August, 1919.  On his discharge record, it was noted that Mr. Davison planned on living in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island upon his return to Canada.

Dr. Davison was married to Helen Vera Norton in Charlottetown on the 4th of October, 1919.  She was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on the 5th of October, 1888, the daughter of Rupert Bovyer Norton and the former Laura L. McCallum.  On the marriage record of Dr. and Mr. Davison in 1926, it stated that Mr. Davison was a widower.  There is no other record that has been located in regards to the death of Helen Vera Norton-Davison.

In 1930, the Royal Canadian Legion in Blenheim, Branch 85 received a charter and Mr. Davison was selected as the first President.

Mr. Davison died on the 08th of August,1973 and he was buried at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery (Rear Lot 335) in Oakville.

Dr. Davison died on the 28th of March, 1976 in Oakville.  At the time of her death, she resided at 302 Maple Street.  She was buried near her husband at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

*Dr. Alexander Laird Story also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**The webmaster is grateful to the Cemetery Department, Town of Oakville for their assistance.