David E DAVIES
Corporal 56738
7th Battalion, Welsh Regiment

David Evan Davies was born in Newcastle in Emlyn, Cardigan c1887, and was the son of Daniel and Eleanor Davies, of 'Tywyn, Bridell, Cardigan', according to Memorial records.

In 1901, David was living with his family at 5 Factory Road, Bargoed. His father was a Woollen Weaver, born in Trifilan, Cardigan c1842. Mother, Eleanor (b. c1849), sister Sarah M (b.c1881) and brother, John H (b. c1884) were all born in Newcastle in Emlyn.

He was still in Bargoed in 1911, but at 4 Factory Road, with both parents and his brother, John Howell. Both boys were working as colliers.
David married an 'Elizabeth B Phillips' in the fourth quarter of 1912, the marriage being registered in Bedwellty.

In 1914 was working as a Fireman at a Colliery (Powell Duffryn). He and his wife, Elizabeth Blodwen, were living at 12 Colliers Row, Tirphil, at this time. There were no children.

Elizabeth Blodwen Phillips was born in about 1887 in Tirphil. In 1891 she was living at 10 Colliers Row with her father, Thomas Phillips, two brothers (Ebenezer and Benjamin), and a cousin, Elizabeth Davies. Both Elizabeths were grand-daughters of the Head of the house, William Davies.

By 1901, Thomas Phillips and his children had moved to 12 Colliers Row, and Elizabeth Davies moved with them.

In 1911, she was living at Teg Fryn, Tirphil, with brother Benjamin. He worked as a Weigher in the Colliery, she as a Dressmaker. This is the address David had for her on his NOK card.

His wife, Elizabeth Blodwen is recorded on the Memorial as being 'of Trebared Farm, Cardigan'. However, she was listed as David's NOK with the address 'Tegfryn', Colliers Row, Tirphil. His Memorial Scroll was sent to 36d Greenfields, New Tredegar in October 1920. She acknowledged receipt of the Scroll from this address on 13 March 1921.

David Evan Davies enlisted in Cardiff on 6 October 1914, and was posted as Private 1705 to the 3/7th (Reserve) Battalion (Cyclists), Welsh Regiment. By 29 July 1915 he had been promoted to Corporal, and was still in Wales - the unit formed in Cardiff, but moved to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. He was posted to 6th Infantry Base Depot (France) on 29th July 1916, reverted to Private, and embarked for France the same day. He arrived in Rouen on 30th July. On the 5th August he was attached to 14th Welsh Regiment (the 'Swansea Pals'), and his Service number changed to 56738 [probably as a Casualty Replacement, following Mametz Wood].

On 13 September 1916, David died of wounds received that day (129 Field Ambulance records).

He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, near Ypres.

There was an Advanced Dressing Station located at Essex Farm, and it was in the Cemetery there, in 1915, it is believed John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields" '(In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row'...).

[Where the information on the Memorial re placenames comes from, I do not know, but I cannot find a link to Tywyn for his parents (1851-1911), and none for her at Trebared. Trebared Farm exists (2013), and is close to RAE Aberporth. There is an error on the Grave Registration Form (Final) listing David as '3/7th Bn, attached 11 Welsh Regiment' - 11th Welsh were in Salonika from 1915 onwards....].he should have been listed 'attached 14 Welsh Regiment'.]

Researched by Taff Edwards and Sue Knight.