In memory of Hugh Goronwy Davies
Hugh was born on 24 April 1895 at Bryn Llwyni, Upper Colwyn Bay, to Daniel and Catherine Davies. The couple had 11 children. Hugh was the 10th child, and the youngest son. He was known as Hughie in the family.
In 1908 his brother William Griffith Davies was lost at sea, aged 29. The family was still living at Bryn Llwyni in 1911. Catherine later lived at ‘Sunny Side’ in Llewelyn Road, Colwyn Bay, after her husband’s death in 1913.
Hugh worked in a draper’s business in Llandudno. He worshipped at Seion Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Upper Colwyn Bay. When he was 10 years old, he won first prize for singing the song ‘Rhodd Mam’ at a “competitive meeting” in the chapel. The upper photo shows him when he was about 11 years old.
The lower photo shows the whole family c.1898. Hugh is held by his father. William is in the back row on the right.
It was said that Hugh enlisted in the army earlier than necessary after a girl gave him a white feather, signifying that she thought him a coward for not being in the armed forces.
Hugh served as a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was killed on 16 August 1916 while taking part in the first Battle of the Somme. He was 21 years old. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
His brother Daniel also served as a Private with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Daniel was killed in action on 22 March 1918 aged 27, and is named on the Arras Memorial in France. Daniel is on the left in the front row in the family portrait.
William, Hugh and Daniel are commemorated on their parents’ gravestone at Bron y Nant cemetery.
With thanks to Olwen Davies, great-niece of Hugh
Return to Colwyn Bay war memorial page
