Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for Alcwyn Davies, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War.

The information on Alcwyn Davies comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives). Please note the discrepancy in date of death, 13th versus 18th, is probably down to a transcription error, but whether the newspaper at the time, or the CWGC made the error, is unknown.

NOTE - PARENTS
UNKNOWN GRAVE LOCATION
Father (no 145) William DAVIES died 1920 Buried 25/11/1920 Holy Trinity Plot Unknown Aged 45y
Mother (no 1544) Margaret Esther DAVIES died 1950 Buried 20/04/1950 Holy Trinity Plot Unknown Aged 75 y.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 6th January 1917:-

Private Alcwyn Davies of the Brecknocks, son of Mr William Davies Pwllbach, has been home prior to going out to France with his battalion. He has a brother Driver W J Davies already serving in Egypt.

From the Cambrian Daily Leader newspaper, 22nd September 1917 :-

Mr and Mrs W J Davies of Pwllbach Ystalyfera have received news from France to the effect that their second son, Private Alcwyn Davies, has been killed in France. Private Davies was engaged on the transports and formerly belonged to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 22nd September 1917 :-

Mr and Mrs M. Davies, of Cyfyng Road, have this week received a letter from a friend of their son, Private Alcwyn Davies, formerly of the Brecknocks, but later of the R. W. F., stating that Private Davies was killed instantaneously in action on the 18th. His friend Private Taylor pays him a high tribute for his nobleness of character. Private Davies has a brother Private W. J. Davies, who is in Egypt. Private Alcwyn Davies went out to France in March last.

Photograph of Private Alcwyn Davies from The Cambrian Daily Leader newspaper, 5th October 1917

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 13th September 1919 :-

IN LOVING MEMORY
Alcwyn, the beloved son of William and Margaret Davies, 13, Cyfyng road, Ystalyfera, killed in France 13th Sept. 1917.

In the field of battle He bravely took his place,
He fought and died for glory, and the honour of his race.
He sleeps not in his native land, But beneath a foreign sky,
Far from those who loved him best, in a hero's grave he lies.


Fondly remembered
From his Mother Father, Brother, and Sisters.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 18th September 1920 :-

YSTALYFERA MOTHER'S THANKS TO BOY SCOUTS
In connection with the recent visit of the 1st Swansea Valley Scouts to Belgium, there was a pathetic little incident, which brought consolation to the sorrowing hearts of Mr. and Mrs. William Davies 13, Cyfyng Road Ystalyfera. Their son Alcwyn was killed in the Menin Road battle, Ypres, and was buried nearby. Some of the Scouts took a photograph of his grave during their recent visit to Belgium and presented a copy to the grieving mother, who desires to give thanks to the Scouts and Major Woodliffe for their kindly thoughtfulness.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, Saturday 27th November 1920:-

The death took place suddenly on Sunday of Mr. William Davies Pwllbach. He was a native of Cwmtwrch and leaves a widow and two daughters for whom much sympathy is felt. The funeral takes place at Holy Trinity on Thursday.

The South Wales Voice newspaper, 22nd April 1950 records the death of Alcwyn's mother, known commonly as Marged Davies :-

OBITUARY: Mrs MARGED DAVIES
The death took place on Sunday of Mrs. Marged Davies,, 13 Cyfyng road. Deceased who was 75 years of age, had been in failing health over two years and took to her bed a fortnight ago. She was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs John Evan Robert Davies, and one of ten children, Mr Jas Davies, Woodman's terrace, being the only one left.

Mrs. Davies' husband died 29 years ago. She was regarded with great affection by her neighbours for her readiness at all times to be of service to others.

She leaves one son and two daughters to mourn, her other son, Alcwyn having died in action in the 1914-18 War.

The funeral was on Thursday, burial taaking place at Holy Trinitiy Churchyard.

The funeral was also recorded in detail in the newspaper a week later, on Saturday 29th April 1950:-

FUNERAL OF Mrs. MARGED DAVIES
The funeral of Mrs Marged Davies, 13 Cyfyng road, whose death was reported in last week's issue, took place on Thursday, internment being at Holy Trinity Churchyard.

Officiating ministers were Revs. TJ Morris, Soar; Vincent Evans, Caersalem; B Llewelyn Evans, Godre'rgraig, and DE Clement, curate.

Principal mourners were Messrs WJ Davies, son; James Davies, brother; Alcwyn Parry, D. Alcwyn Davies, Harry Thomas, Archie and Alcwyn Brain, grandsons; Hugh Parry, great-grandson.

Messrs Stanley Davies, W. John Davies, Ellis Moses, Noel Jones, Alcwyn Davies, John B Davies, Abram Davies, D Handel Davies, John Bodycombe, Evan John, David, Edward, Tom, Albert Davies, Brynley Davies, Evan T Lewis, Tom and Arthur Bartholomew, Dan Williams, Tommy, Johnny, Dd. Owen, Tommy Morris, Dd. James, Lewis, Johnny Rees, Albert Rees, Ior Davies, Jack Rees, Willie Jonathan, Oliver Jones, Elvet Davies, Lyn Morgan, Idwal Morris, J Stephens, Idris Jones, JE Bodycombe, Caradoc Thomas, Ellis and Willie Thomas, Handel Phillips, Les Watkins, Gerwyn Jones, Dick Brain, Emilyn Thomas, nephews.

Mourners at house: Margt, Ann, Muriel, daughters; Annie, daughter-in-law; Elvira, Clarice, Ann, Ray and Joyce, grand-daughters; Florrie Davies, sister-in-law; Meggie Bartholomew, M Williams, MA Jones, Alice and Ceinwen, Ammanford; Mary Lewis, Dorries Thomas, MA Jenkins, Edith and Margaret Ann Davies, SJ Watkins, EA Phillips, Maggie, Mary Elizabeth, Irene and Agnes, MJ Williams, Mrs Jennie Jones, SA Owen, Jeannie Owen, Annie Jones, Martha Richards, SJ Jones, Elizabeth Parry, Mrs Maggie Rees, Misses Jeannie and Gwen Maddocks, nieces; Mrs Emmie Jones, Mrs M Jones and Mrs TM James, friends and neighbours.

Bearers were Messrs. John James Williams, D. John Edwards, Llewelyn Davies, Jack Jeffreys, Willie Steele and Harry Thomas.

Mr John Williams, Pwllbach, Cyfyng road, was the undertaker.

The Labour Voice newspaper also recorded the military exploits of Alcwyn's brother, Private William John Davies. From the 25th September 1915:-

Private W J Davies of Cyfyng Road Ystalyfera son of Mr William Davies is in the Royal Field Artillery stationed at Bedford and was home on leave last week looking remarkably well. He has a brother Private Alcwyn Davies (Killed 1917) who is with the Brecknocks at Milford Haven and his cousin Private W J Davies of the Kings Own Light Infantry, who was recently wounded and came home on a visit, has now gone back to France.

The Labour Voice of 2nd March 1918 records that Alcwyn's brother has been slightly wounded:-

Private W. J. Davies, son of Mr and Mrs William Davies, Cyfyng Road, writing to his parents from a hospital in Jerusalem, states that he has been slightly wounded; but hoped to be out and about in a short time. He describes the Holy City as being a wonderful old place, but the death rate amongst the inhabitants from cold and lack of food is very great. At the time of writing it was the rainy season and conditions were very uncomfortable and hard, especially for the boys in the trenches, and his brigade having been in the heaviest fighting, had suffered considerably. In spite of all he assures his parents that he is cheerful and as happy as the circumstances will allow, and that the same is true of the boys generally. In acknowledging the receipt of parcels, he quaintly tells how the boys appreciate a few candles and pieces of soap!
Another son of Mr and Mrs Davies: Private Alcwyn Davies was recently killed in France.