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Richard Jones Griffiths was born at Aberystwyth, in the fourth quarter of 1871.


….On Wednesday in last week Mr. R. J. Griffiths, eldest son of Mr. R. Griffiths, 59, North-parade, Aberystwyth, and formerly a compositor at the Merthyr Times Office, left Aberystwyth for Cape Colony, South Africa. Mr. Griffiths was accompanied by Mr. David Jones, a young Aberystwyth draper. The two emigrants left Southampton on Saturday by the Methven Castle.
The Merthyr Times, Thursday 23rd July 1896


….Mr. R. J. Griffiths, who was formerly a compositor at the Merthyr Times Office, is now in South Africa. He has just joined the Mounted Police Force at Bulawayo. Mr. Griffiths is a native of Aberystwyth.
The Merthyr Times, Thursday 24th September 1896


….We have received a copy of the Bulawayo Chronicle from Mr. R. J. Griffiths who is a compositor on the staff of that journal. Mr. Griffiths formerly occupied a similar position on the Merthyr Times.
The Merthyr Times, Friday 3rd September 1897.


….Mr R. J. Griffiths, son of Mrs Griffiths, butcher, North parade, is serving in Colonel Plumer's relieving force. He was working as a compositor at Bulawayo when the war commenced, and then he volunteered with Colonel Plumer. He had previously been in the mounted police.
The Aberystwyth Observer, Thursday 29th March 1900

….We have to announce the death of Mr R. J. Griffiths, eldest son of Mrs Griffiths, butcher, North parade, which occurred on Thursday morning. He was thirty-three years of age. Apprenticed as a compositor, he went out to South Africa, and joined the mounted police, with whom he served in the Matabele war. He also served under General Plumer in the Boer War, and was with him in his attempt to relieve Mafeking from the north. He afterwards served under other commanders, and at the close of the war came home for some months, but returned again to South Africa. Being invalided, he came home in the early summer a mere shadow of his former self. ….Everything was done to restore him to health, but the end came on Thursday morning. The remains were interred on Monday morning, at the cemetery, the Rev N. Thomas, R.D., officiating. Dick Griffiths was of a sociable temperament, and had many friends.
….Dear Sir, - I have just read with the feelings of deepest sympathy of the death of Mr R. J. Griffiths, one of the young men whose history Aberystwyth ought to be proud of. So with your kind permission I will through the medium of your paper relate a little of that history.Some years ago he left Aberystwyth with another friend, a member of the great Prodigal band who have at different times left Aberystwyth to gain fame and fortune, or remain in obscurity and be buried to all and sundry, except perhaps their relations.Dick Griffiths was well known in South Africa, especially among the Welsh portion of the colonists, and to me he was an intimate friend, having served under me in that country. He was a capital soldier and a good all round man. He served under Plumer, French, and other distinguished Generals. He fought in the Matabele and Mashona wars, and saw service in Griqualand and Pondoland, and was almost through the whole of the Boer War, being under Plumer at the relief of Mafeking.The illness which has at last carried him off, and from which he has suffered for years, was contracted on the field.Among his many good qualities, which I think only those most intimately acquainted with him knew of was his wit and good humour, and many an hour have I passed in his company in far-away South Africa listening to his many yarns of home and abroad.One story told of him which I may be pardoned for introducing here, was as follows:Dick was serving under Plumer in Matabeleland, and during the different treks the column would often get far ahead of the Commisseriat Waggon, and on such occasions food was a thing to be dreamt of only.Orders had been issued that looting, especially for food, would be severely punished. One evening at the end of a trek a few boon companions, who had spotted a goat browsing quietly near a kraal, informed Dick that his help was wanted to skin the said goat, as they had captured it, and that the same animal was hanging in a tent head downwards ready for the knife. Dick proceeded to render the required assistance at once, and in the midst of the operations who should stroll into the tent but Colonel Plumer. Everyone sprang to attention, and then the Colonel said - "What is the meaning of this?"
….Dick saluted, and replied - "It is a goat, sir, that lost its way. Where shall I send the kidneys, sir?" Colonel Plumer, taking a lenient view of the situation, and being convulsed with laughter at the ready reply, retired.
….This letter will, I dare say, be published after the remains of our friend have been laid to rest, but I sincerely trust that local Volunteers will have seen their way to escort the remains and help to pay a tribute of respect to one who has served Queen, King and Country with an unsullied record. He was a firm friend, and one of the pluckiest men it has ever been my pleasure to meet. Pleasant recollections of his memory will live for a long time in the minds and hearts of his many friends at home and abroad.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Aberystwyth Observer, Thursday 1st December 1904


….The death took place on Thursday morning of Mr. R. J. Griffiths, eldest son of the late Mr. Griffiths, 59, North-parade. He served his apprenticeship as compositor and for some time followed his trade, and was engaged at one of the printing offices in Bulawayo. He afterwards joined the Cape Police with whom he went through the Matabele War in 1896. He was also in the South African War, being a member of the Rhodesian Protectorate Regiment under General Plumer. At the end of the war he was invalided home suffering from fever, but returned to South Africa and spent some time in hospital but came home in June last. He was only 33 years of age.
The Welsh Gazette, Thursday 1st December 1904

GRIFFITHS. - November 24, Mr R. J. Griffiths, son of the late Mr Richard Griffiths, North parade, aged 33 years.
The Aberystwyth Observer, Thursday 1st December 1904