James Llewellyn Davies

James Llewellyn Davies
Born 16 March 1886
Ogmore Vale, Glamorganshire, Wales
Died 31 July 1917 (aged 31)
Pilckem, Flanders, Belgium
Buried at Canada Farm Cemetery, Elverdinghe
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Rank Corporal
Unit Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battles/wars First World War
Awards Victoria Cross

James Llewellyn Davies VC (16 March 1886 – 31 July 1917) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Davies was born in March 1886 in the Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan to John and Martha Davies. He married Elizabeth Ann Darby, who was originally from Nantymoel.[1] As a corporal in the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (part of the 38th (Welsh) Division), he performed a deed on 31 July 1917 at Polygon Wood, Pilkem, Belgium which won him the Victoria Cross. However, he died of wounds received during the attack.

For most conspicuous bravery during an attack on the enemy's line, this non-commissioned officer pushed through our own barrage and single-handed attacked a machine gun emplacement, after several men had been killed in attempting to take it. He bayoneted one of the machine gun crew and brought in another man, together with the captured gun. Cpl. Davies, although wounded, then led a bombing party to the assault of a defended house, and killed a sniper who was harassing his platoon. This gallant non-commissioned officer has since died of wounds received during the attack.
— London Gazette," No. 30272, 6 September 1917[2]

On 20 October 1917, the King presented Corporal Davies’ Victoria Cross to his widow and his eldest son. His VC is now on display at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon, Wales.

He was buried in Canada Farm Cemetery (Plot II, B.18), Ieper, Belgium.

References

  1. ↑ Davies, James Llewellyn, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30272. p. 9260. 4 September 1917. Retrieved 29 November 2009.

Further reading

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