James Llewellyn Davies

Captured a machine gun then attacked despite his own wounds.

James Llewellyn Davies was born at Ebbw Vale on 16 March 1886 and grew up in a large family that later lived in Nant-y-Moel. He attended local schools and worked as a miner at Wyndham Colliery. In 1906 he married Elizabeth Ann Richards; they had four children.

Davies enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery in October 1914. He transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in June 1915 and joined the 8th Battalion at Gallipoli that September. Enteric fever led to evacuation to Egypt and then Britain. After recovering he returned to duty and reached France in December 1916, joining the 13th Battalion early in 1917.

On 31 July 1917, during the opening attack of the Third Battle of Ypres, Corporal Davies advanced through the British barrage towards a German machine-gun position that had defeated earlier attempts to capture it. He bayoneted a member of the crew and brought back a prisoner and the gun. Although wounded, he then led a bombing party against a defended building and killed a sniper who was firing on his platoon.

Davies died from his wounds and was buried in Canada Farm Cemetery near Elverdinghe, Belgium. His Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously. George V presented the decoration to his widow and eldest son at Buckingham Palace on 20 October 1917. His death left Elizabeth to raise their young family; she later remarried.

Official Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy’s line, this non-commissioned officer pushed through our own barrage and, single handed, attacked a machine gun emplacement after several men had been killed in attempting to take it. He bayonetted one of the machine gun crew and brought in another man, together with the captured gun. Cpl. Davies, although wounded, then led a bombing party to the assault of a defended house, and killed a sniper who was harassing his platoon. This gallant non-commissioned officer has since died of wounds received during the attack.

Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 4 September 1917. 6 September 1917, Numb. 30272, p. 9260