Christian Davies facts for kids
Christian Davies (1667 – 7 July 1739) was an amazing Irishwoman. She was born Christian Cavanagh. People also knew her as Kit Cavanagh or Mother Ross. In 1693, she joined the British Army. She pretended to be a man to find her lost husband. She fought as a soldier in Flanders during the Nine Years War until 1697. Later, she fought with the Scots Greys. This was during the War of the Spanish Succession from 1701 to 1706. The famous writer Daniel Defoe met her when she was older. She was a Chelsea Pensioner at the time. He wrote a book about her exciting life.
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Early Life of Christian Davies
Christian "Kit" Cavanagh was born in 1667. Her hometown was Dublin, Ireland. During her life, she used many last names. These included Welsh, Welch, Ross, Jones, and Davies. Her father was a local brewer. Her family supported King James II. Because of this, they lost their family property.
As a teenager, Kit went to live with her aunt. Her aunt ran a pub in Dublin. Kit soon met and married Richard Welsh. He worked for her aunt. They had two children together. Kit was expecting their third child. Then, in 1691, Richard suddenly disappeared.
Searching for Her Lost Husband
Richard Welsh ended up in the British Army. It is not clear how he joined. Some stories say he volunteered. Others say he was forced to join. He tried to write to Kit. One letter finally reached her. It said he was in the British Army in Holland. Kit did not want to lose her husband. She left her children with her mother. Then, she cut her hair short. She dressed as a man. She joined the British Army to find him.
Joining the Infantry
Kit Cavanagh first joined Captain Tichborne's company. She used the name Christopher Welch. As an infantry soldier, she fought in the Battle of Landen. There, she was hurt. The French army captured her. In 1694, she was exchanged. She returned to the British Army. No one knew she was a woman.
She kept fighting in the army. She was still looking for her husband. She stayed with Tichborne's company for a while. She had a disagreement with a sergeant. After this, she was allowed to leave the army.
Becoming a Dragoon
After leaving, she quickly joined again. This time, she joined the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons. This happened in 1697. They were known as the Scots Greys. As a dragoon, she fought until the war ended. She still had not found her husband. When the War of Spanish Succession began in 1701, she joined the Scots Greys again.
Kit Cavanagh started to enjoy being a soldier. She liked finding things after battles. She had been good at business. Now, she was also good at finding things on the battlefield.
She fought with the Scots Greys. She was hurt at the Battle of Schellenberg. A musket ball hit her upper leg. But she did not stop fighting. She was with her regiment at the Battle of Blenheim. After this battle, she guarded French prisoners. There, after 13 years, she found her husband! Richard Welsh was a soldier in the 1st Regiment of Foot. He said he had sent her many letters. None of them reached her. She found him but chose to stay a dragoon.
Even though she was upset, they stayed somewhat close. They agreed not to tell anyone her secret. They pretended to be brothers. No one in the regiment suspected she was a woman.
Her Secret Revealed
Kit's life as a soldier continued until 1706. This was at the Battle of Ramillies. She was hurt again. When the army doctor treated her, he found out. Christian Welsh was a woman! The news quickly spread. Soon, Lord John Hay heard about it. He was the commander of the Scots Greys. He had Kit's husband brought to her. After hearing her whole story, he made sure she was cared for. He ordered that she still get her soldier's pay.
Life After the Army
Once she was well, Kit Cavanagh was officially discharged. She was now called Mrs. Welsh again. The officers of the Scots Greys bought her new clothes. She was allowed to stay with the army. She became a sutleress. A sutleress sells food and supplies to soldiers. She was with the 1st Foot regiment.
Her husband died at the Battle of Malplaquet. Three months later, she married another dragoon. His name was Hugh Jones. He died in 1710.
Return Home
In 1712, the War of Spanish Succession was ending. Kit Cavanagh returned home with the troops. Her story was amazing. She was presented to Queen Anne. Queen Anne gave her £50. She also gave her a shilling a day for the rest of her life. This was her pension.
Kit finally returned to Dublin in 1713. She married for the third and final time. Her third husband, like the others, was a soldier. His name was Davies.
She lived in Dublin for some years. She opened a new pub. But her years in the army made her and her husband restless. For many years, they moved around England and Ireland. They earned money from different jobs. People also knew her because of her fame among soldiers. Eventually, she was admitted to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. She became one of its pensioners. Mrs. Davies was buried there. She asked for full military honors.
