David Griffiths
David Griffiths worked as a miner in Ystradgynlais before joining the Royal Garrison Artillery on the Western Front. He was killed in action at Arras in September 1918.
A big thank you to Alan Griffiths for the photographs of David Griffiths, including photograph of the cross on his grave.
The information on David Griffiths has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | David Griffiths |
| Date of Death | 8th September 1918 |
| Place of Death | France |
| Age at Death | 32 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Garrison Artillery; 194th Siege Bty. |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Service Number | 282634 |
| Additional Information | Address: Cwmgiedd Ystradgynlais. Born in Ystradgynlais. Former Coal Miner (hewer). |
| Cemetery | QUEANT ROAD CEMETERY, BUISSY – FRANCE; VII. H. 12. |
| Remembrance Grave | Yorath Chapelyard, Cwmgiedd, Ystradgynlais. Grave inscription: Their son who fell in action at Arras France. Aged 31 years. |
| Local Memorials | Ystradgynlais War Memorial |
| Family Details | Son of David Thomas (born Ystradgynlais 1850 died 30th May 1930) and Sarah Griffiths (born Ystradgynlais 1855 died 17th Sep 1906) The family lived at 7 Chapel Street, Ystradgynlais. |
| Known Brothers | Thomas (born Ystradgynlais 12th Sep 1874 died 19th Nov 1919) William (born Ystradgynlais 1878) |
| Known Sisters | Mary Jane (born Ystradgynlais 8th Feb 1882 died 28th Jan 1958) Ruth Gwen (born Ystradgynlais 1889 died 3rd Sep 1958) |
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David Griffiths To the left is the remembrance grave in Yorath Chapel cemetery |
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Grave inscription:- Of David Their son who fell in action at Arras France. Sept 8 1918 Aged 31 years. |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 8th December 1917:-
Corporal D Griffiths of the R G A son of Mr and Mrs David Griffiths Cwmgiedd is on leave. He has seen service at the Vimy Ridge and Ypres Fronts
From the Cambrian Daily Leader newspaper, 17th April 1918:-
Corporal David Griffiths R G A has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry during the recent operations in France. He is the son of Mr D T Griffiths of Cwmgiedd Ystradgynlais, one of the oldest inhabitants of the place. Corporal Griffiths, who is 30 years of age, has seen considerable service in France, having been “out there” for 20 months. Before the outbreak of war he was employed in Yniscedwyn Colliery Ystradgynlais, as a miner. Corporal Griffiths is the first native of the district to win such a distinction.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 20th April 1918:-
News has been received from the major commanding the battery with which Corporal David Griffiths Royal Garrison Artillery Cwmgiedd, son of Mr David T Griffiths that he has been awarded the Military Medal during the recent fighting in France. Details are not yet to hand. Corporal Griffiths is at present in a base hospital in France, suffering from a wound in the ankle. He is 30 years of age and was before his enlistment a miner at Yniscedwyn Colliery. He has been serving for over 20 months in France
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 21st September 1918 :-
Intimation was received at Cwmgiedd that Corporal David Griffiths, M. M. of the R. G. A., son of Mr. D. T. Griffiths, had been mortally wounded on the 8th inst. His officer states in a letter that Griffiths received a severe shell wound and despite prompt attention, he died 10 minutes after being removed to a dressing station. He was the first and only military medallist of the place and his death is mourned by a very large circle of friends.
Thank you to family member Alan Griffiths for the following photographs, showing Corporal David Griffiths with the army, and the cross on the grave.
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In memory of D. Griffiths, MM |
| The cross marking the grave of Corporal Griffiths. His service number is incorrectly written on the cross as 262634, instead of 262834. |
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From the Llais Llafur newspaper, 17th May 1919:-
WAR MEMORIAL AT CWMGIEDD
Cwmgiedd, whose good name was somewhat compromised during one period of the war because of its supposed "neutrality," will probably take the lead in the valley of erecting a war memorial. The suggested memorial will take the form of a stone, suitably inscribed, a replica of the wooden cross erected over the grave of Dd. Griffiths who lies buried in Flanders. Private Griffiths was the only Cwmgiedd man to make the supreme sacrifice, and the memorial will be erected over the family grave in the Cwmgiedd burial ground.