Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Captain W. Davies, South Wales Borderers, killed in action during the German spring offensive 1918

1914-15 STAR (PS 2577 Pte., R. Fus.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (Capt.) together with bronze memorial plaque (William Davies) good very fine

Captain William Davies was the son of David and Margaret Davies of Cwmneol House, Cwmaman, Aberdare, and husband to Mercy May Davies, Cardiff. A medical student at St. Bartholomews Hospital, he joined the Public Schools Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at the outbreak of war. He was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers in September 1916, being promoted Captain in July the following year. Captain Davies was commanding 'D' Coy and had seen much hard fighting throughout the war and during the German spring offensive. The 2nd Battalion was overwhelmed at Lys in April and Captain Davies was the senior surviving officer in charge of the remnants of the battalion, just 150 men. Even after losing three quarters of its men however, the battalion fought on and Captain Davies was killed at La Ferme Prince when his position was outflanked. All 21 officers of the 2nd battalion were killed, wounded or missing in these actions, Captain Davies being reported missing on 18 April.