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David Davies
220671, Gunner, 232nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force)
Killed in action, 21 March 1918, aged 20
No known grave (Arras Memorial, France)
CWGC registered (Son of William and Ellen Davies, of 13, Alexandra Rd, Llandudno, Carnarvonshire)
David Davies, the son of William and Ellenor Davies, was born at Llangwstenin on 19 April 1897. The Census of Wales for 1901 records the family including William (qv) living at 2 Bay View Terrace, Llandudno, William Davies being described as a general labourer. In February 1903, David and his elder brother John were transferred to St. George’s National School, the family’s address noted as “Masonic Cottage”, Masonic Street. In 1905, the family’ address was recorded as “The Clifton”, Vaughan Street. David was transferred to Dyffryn Road Council School in July 1908, the family’s new address being 13 Alexandra Road. The Census of 1911 records William Davies as a carter for a cab proprietor and David as leaving school, an event confirmed by the school register.
Little is known of David Davies’ military service. Soldiers Died in the Great War records that he enlisted in Bangor into the Artillery and had a regimental number of 220671 which was probably issued in February 1917 and may have replaced an earlier number.
David Davies died on 21 March 1918 aged 20. Soldiers Died in the Great War relates that he died of wounds but Commonwealth War Grave Commission records indicate that he is remembered on the Arras Memorial which implies that he has no known grave. His death certificate confirms that he was killed in action when serving with A Battery of the 232nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. This artillery brigade had been a pre-war component of the Territorial Force, originally called the III North Midland Brigade with batteries from Wolverhampton, West Bromwich and Stafford.
21 March 1918 was the first day of the Battle of St. Quentin which saw a huge artillery bombardment followed by an infantry assault by the Germans (Operation Michael). Casualties were enormous, the Arras Memorial for that day remembering over 2700 soldiers killed with no known grave including three from A Battery, 232 Brigade.
Known memorials:
- Arras Memorial (France)
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
- Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy
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