TOPIC:

I acquired the Queen's South Africa medal to the above mentioned soldier at the recent sale at Noonan's on 20/04/2022. I may have paid a little over the going rate for a DODE casualty, but I can justify this following research prior to my winning bid.
Sharing the same surname as Thomas, I know only too well from experience how problematic researching someone from South or Southwest Wales with the name Davies can be!
However, the fates were kind to me, as his full attestation papers remain extant (I have found numerous casualties to the RWF with surviving paperwork). Very fortunate for me that the powers that be had not destroyed his documents, as is so often the case with fatalities from the South African campaign.

Thomas Davies was born in Abergwili, Carmarthenshire in 1879. Abergwili is a small rural community which is situated near the confluence of the rivers Towy and Gwili.
The rural life may not have appealed too much to him, and so seeking adventure and better prospects, Thomas attested to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers with Regimental number 5696 at Swansea on 7th May 1898, his final sign off taking place at the Depot of the Welsh Regiment, Cardiff on the 9th May, when he was officially accepted as a member of the regiment.
He declared his occupation as being that of a Groom. He was 18 years and 11 months old, and his vital statistics were recorded as:
HEIGHT: 5'5".
WEIGHT: 123lbs.
CHEST RANGE: 32 1/2" to 34 1/2".
COMPLEXION: Ruddy.
EYES: Brown.
HAIR: Red.
DENOMINATION: Church of England.
MARKS: Brown birthmark centre back of neck. Four indistinct tattoo marks left forearm.
SERVICE: HOME: 07/05/1898 to 22/10/1899.
SOUTH AFRICA: 23/10/1899 to 08/01/1900.
NEXT OF KIN: William (father), Cross Cottage, Carmarthenshire.

Sadly, as we see from his Service, 5696 Private Thomas Davies never made it home from South Africa. He died of the dreaded enteric fever at Frere on 8th January 1900 barely 11 weeks from departing from Britain.
For his brief service Thomas was involved in action as evidenced by his entitlement to the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps Tugela Heights and Relief of Ladysmith.









Thomas is interred at Estcourt Green Cemetery and commemrated there on monument U1.
He is also commemorated on the Welsh National South Africa Memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff; the memorial to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at St. Giles Church, Wrexham and on the Carmarthenshire County Memorial in Carmarthen.

His death was reported in the press as follows:

South Wales Daily News, dated 23rd February 1900; p.5:

"DEATH OF AN ABERGWILI MAN IN
SOUTH AFRICA.
News has been received at Abergwili, of the death, from fever, in South Africa of Private Tommit Davies (Welsh Fusiliers) son of William Davies, road contractor, Cross Cottage, Capelygroes. Deceased was 21 years of age, and joined the regiment about 2 years ago. He was a general favourite in his battalion."

Note: I believe that there has been a typo in the report. I guess Tommit should read Tommie.

Steve,

It is very unusual to find papers for men like Thomas. Great research on your part.

Best wishes
David

Hello Steve

Taken from The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter 23rd of February 1900, page 3

Death of a Carmarthen Rechabite at the Front.

In consideration of the fact that one of their number was serving Queen and country in the present war, the Rechabite Tent had come to an arrangement whereby they might send something special for the use and comfort of Thomas Davies, who was with the Buller section at Frere Camp. Before anything could be done, however, an intimation was received, dated January 9, that he had died of enteric fever. A vote of condolence was passed at their meeting in the Assembly-rooms last Saturday evening with the father in his bereavement. The deceased was the son of Mr W Davies, Cross Cottage, Peniel, and was a few years ago in the employ of Dr C P Parry, Spilman-street. He was nearly twenty-one years of ago. While quite a young lad he showed a desire for the service, and often would speak of it at home, but when he saw his mother's eyes suffused with tears he promised never to speak of it as long as she lived. She did, not, however, live long, and the barrier to enlistment was removed. lie bad been stationed at Devonport and Pembroke Dock, and it was from this latter place he travelled to the port of embarkation a few months ago.

Regards