Lieutenant Charles Bernard Davies Royal Dublin Fusiliers Charles was born at Cardiff on the 5th June, 1894, the son of Mr. D.E. Davies, of the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge, Glamorgan. After his father's death, Charles's mother re-married, becoming Mrs Lloyd of 'Lynsholme', Caerphilly, Glamorgan. Charles commenced his education at Cowbridge Grammar School, and was educated at Llandovery between 1908 and 1913. He is remembered at Llandovery as being an all-round sportsman, playing both hockey and cricket for the School from 1910 to 1913. On leaving Llandovery, Charles played cricket for St Fagan's, Cardiff and even played one game for Glamorgan which at that time was a Minor Counties side. He also played rugby for both Swansea R.F.C. and Cardiff R.F.C., where it was recorded that he was a useful three-quarter. His last season for Cardiff R.F.C. was the 1913/14 season. (Charles's elder brother, Elvan Davies of Aberavon, played rugby for Wales.) It was also unofficially announced in 1914 that Charles had taken all B.N.C. Sprinting Records. Charles had entered Cambridge University in 1913, where he continued playing rugby. It was said that had he not volunteered for the Army in 1914, he was tipped to win a Blue. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1914 and was commissioned on the 26th August, 1915 into the 3rd Battalion, which was the Reserve Battalion. Charles was then attached to another Battalion of the Regiment, and during the Summer of 1916, he was in France preparing for the Battle of the Somme, which commenced on the 1st July, 1916. On the night of the 8th June, 1916, Charles led a bombing party when, according to a Private Dunne, who was the only survivor of the raid, and who himself was to die from his wounds two days later, it came under heavy enemy fire. Search parties were sent out to look for Charles and his men, and it was learned that Charles had been taken prisoner. He died in captivity on the 9th June, 1916, aged just 22. Charles was initially buried by the Germans in Miraumont German Cemetery, but his grave was later destroyed by shellfire. Subsequently, he was commemorated on the German Cemetery Memorial at Queen's Cemetery, Bucquoy, just beyond Serre, France. ( I'm not sure if this is the right spelling for Charles' brother .... I can't find him yet ! )
