Montague was born on 25 September 1902 to Alfred James and Kate Matilda (née Innes) Davis in Portsmouth, Hampshire, followed two years later by his sister Gladys Kate in 1904. Tragedy struck the family with the death of Mum, Kate, in the Autumn of 1909. The 1911 census have the family living at 38, Essex Road, Portsmouth including the daughter Violet E Walters from Kate’s first marriage. The father, Petty Officer 1c Alfred James Davis, died from “Accidental Drowning” on 18 June 1917 while serving in HMS DALHOUSIE in Basra, Iraq. On the 1921 Census, Montague is staying with what the Royal Navy describes as “Unofficial Wife” Miss C. A. Innes who is also Next Of Kin on ADM 104 Death Register, at 128, Landguard Road, Portsmouth. She is described in the 1921 Census as “Charlotte Amelia Davis, Widow” with Montague as “Son” Telegraphist Royal Navy and 18 years old.

Montague had joined the Royal Navy on 14 February 1918 when he joined HMS GANGES in Shotley, Suffolk as a Boy Second Class at 15 years and 7 months old. He quickly qualified for Telegraphist and was selected as a Boy Telegraphist on 16 April 1918 and completed basic training on 4 September 1918. After a one month stop-over in HMS VICTORY 1 until 5 October, he crossed Portsmouth harbour with a draft to HMS DOLPHIN before joining HMS  H42 on 9 December 1918. H42 was transferred to HMS MAIDSTONE  at Chatham on 18 May 1919 and Montague  was advanced to Ordinary Telegraphist on 25 September 1920. On 1 June 1921 he qualified for and was promoted to Telegraphist on board H42.

H42 sank on 23 March 1922 a few miles South of Europa Point, Gibraltar, after a high-speed collision with another warship and the loss of all 26 crew members.

Telegraphist Montague Edward Davis was one of those submariners who “Crossed The Bar” that day.