David Glyndwr Davies
Ystradgynlais Fallen of World War Two
David Glyndwr Davies was serving aboard HMS Dulverton when she was sunk by German aircraft using glider bombs in the Aegean Sea in November 1943.
Generally known as Glynn, he was the son of John and Margaretta Davies of the George IV Inn, Upper Cwmtwrch, and one of eleven children of theirs to have made it into adulthood. Having entered the Royal Navy in 1929, and being unmarried, he had no other home but his parents' inn, and would have returned to stay there when on leave.
David Glyndwr Davies is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, commemorating those servicemen lost at sea, with no personal grave. He is remembered on the headstone for his parents on their grave in Cwmllynfell Cemetery.
He is also on the memorial in Cmwtwrch Ebenezer Church and would appear to be listed as G Davies (for Glyn) on the Cwmtwrch section of the Ystradgynlais War Memorial. This can also be seen on the Cwmtwrch War Memorial in Ebenezer Chapel where he is listed as Glyn Davies.
The information on David Glyndwr Davies has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives), and additional material thanks to Lynn, his niece.
David Glyndwr Davies, photograph from the South Wales Voice, 4th December 1943
David Glyndwr Davies
Ystradgynlais Fallen of World War Two
| Name | David Glyndwr Davies |
| Date of Death | 13th November 1943 |
| Place of Death | Lost at sea off the coast of Kos |
| Age at Death | 34 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Navy, HMS Dulverton |
| Rank | Chief Stoker |
| Service Number | D⁄KX 79912 |
| Memorial | PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL - DEVON UK (Panel 81, Column 3.) |
| Local Memorials | Ystradgynlais War Memorial
Cwmtwrch War Memorial, Ebenezer Chapel |
| Remembrance Grave | Cwmllynfell Cemetery, Carmarthenshire |
| Family Details | Son of John and Margaretta Davies of the George IV Inn, Upper Cwmtwrch, Glamorgan |
A photograph from 1948 showing David Glyndwr Davies' father, John Davies, the licensee of the George IV Inn, and also one of his sisters, Fiona, in the bar of the inn.
The Memorial Organ at Ebenezer Chapel, Upper Cwmtwrch has brass plaques commemorating the fallen of the village in both world wars.
The Plymouth Naval Memorial commemorates those members of the Royal Navy who had no known grave, their deaths having occurred at sea where no permanent memorial could be provided.
The Loss of HMS Dulverton
David Glyndwr Davies' Naval Career
From the South Wales Voice, 4th December 1943 came the news that David Glyndwr Davies was missing in action, and though unstated, it would be presumed that he had died.
CWMTWRCH NAVAL OFFICER MISSING
Mr. and Mrs. John Davies, George IV Inn, Upper Cwmtwrch, have been informed that their son, First Class Petty Officer David Glyndwr Davies, is missing. He entered the Navy on May 29th, 1929 and was stationed at Devonport and later at Malta and other foreign stations on the aircraft carrier 'Glorious'. After her sinking he was transferred to HMS Dorsetshire when she joined the China Fleet. When escorting home a convoy of 50 merchant ships they were ordered to make a dash to intercept the 'Bismarck' which was making for Brest and was at the sinking of the German ship. C.P.O. Davies's last home leave was in 1941 when a presentation meeting was held in his honour. When he returned from leave he was transferred to H.M.S. Dulverton, on which he was posted missing on November 25th. Glyndwr is well known in the district and was 34 years of age. We hope his parents will receive better news soon.
Details of the loss of HMS Dulverton from Wikipedia:-
In October 1943 HMS Dulverton was part of a force that was trying to capture the Greek islands of Kos and Leros. 20 October and the 4 November. On 12 November, Dulverton returned to support the garrison on Leros which had just been invaded by the Germans. Whilst five miles off the coast of Kos she was attacked by German Do 217 E-5 aircraft using Hs 293 glider bombs, one of which struck Dulverton abreast of the bridge. Six officers and 114 ratings were evacuated from the ship before she was scuttled, but three officers and 75 ratings were lost.
HMS Dulverton was a Type II Hunt class destroyer, similar in appearance to the one pictured here, HMS Blean
Letters Home
David Glyndwr Davies
Thank you to Lynn, niece of David Glyndwr Davies for permission to display the letters written by Glyn to his parents, John and Margaretta Davies of the George IV Inn, Upper Cwmtwrch.
David Glyndwr Davies' letter home from HMS Dulverton, dated 5th September 1943.
David Glyndwr Davies' letter home from HMS Dulverton, dated 20th September 1943. This would be less than two months before his death, on 13th November 1943, off the Greek island of Kos.
Cwmllynfell Cemetery
Remembered on his parents' grave
David Glyndwr Davies is remembered on the grave for his parents, John and Margaretta Davies, in Cwmllynfell Cemetery.
As can be seen from the headstone, his mother Margaretta Davies died in the year following Glyn's own death, on 28th September 1944, aged 67. His father John Davies would live until the age of 82, dying on June 2nd 1955.
Below them, "Hefyd eu mab" means "Also their son" and follows the remembrance of David Glyndwr Davies, Chief Petty Officer, Royal Navy.
The foreground of Cwmllynfell Cemetery
View from the Davies grave in Cwmllynfell Cemetery, looking down towards Cwmllynfell Chapel.
