The Fallen of World War One
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Val Trevallion
This photograph of Ronald Dawes was kindly supplied by Cathy and Ruth Price.
Above is a photograph of the letter from 2nd Lieutenant G H Minshull informing Private Dawes' father that his son had died in action. Click to see more clearly.
Ronald Guy Dawes
Ronald Dawes from the Ystradgynlais area served with the Welsh Regiment on the Western Front and was killed in action in France in 1918. His name is usually rendered as Ronald Guy Dawes, but sometimes as Ronald Gay Dawes. Thank You to Ronald's family who came forward with additional information, especially about his pre-war role as a sports correspondent for the Llais newspaper.
The information on Ronald Guy Dawes 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 | Ronald Guy Dawes |
| Date of Death | 23rd August 1918 |
| Place of Death | France |
| Age at Death | 20 |
| Unit and Regiment | Welsh Regiment; 15th Bn. |
| Rank | Private |
| Service Number | 290694 |
| Additional Information | Lived Glanrhyd Ystradgynlais Teacher and sports contributor for Llais Newspaper. Ronald Guy Dawes is on both the Ystradgynlais and Ystalyfera War Memorials |
| Memorial | VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL - FRANCE; Panel 7. |
| Local Memorials | Maesydderwen Roll of Honour Ystradgynlais War Memorial Ystalyfera War Memorial Marble Plaque in St. David’s Church Ystalyfera - Erected by the 1st Swansea Valley Troop. |
| Family Details | Born Ystradgynlais Son of Archibald (born Carmarthenshire 1870) Coal Miner and Elizabeth Esther DAWES (born Pembrokeshire 1868) of Gough Buildings, Ystradgynlais. Brought up by his aunt, Miss Thomas. |
| Known Brothers | Tom Dawes |
| Known Sisters | Nesta Mary DAWES (born Ystradgynlais 1900) Lallah Sophia DAWES (born Ystradgynlais 1903) |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 19th August 1916:-
Mr R G Dawes of Glanrhyd Road a late pupil of Maesydderwen and also a pupil teacher at the Gurnos Schools has joined the Cyclist Section of the Welsh Regiment and is now stationed at Roath Cardiff. Private Dawes has been a frequent contributor to our columns and we heartily join in wishing him the best of luck.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 21st July 1917:-
Private R G Dawes formerly a school teacher, who has now been in the Welsh Cyclists for over 12 months, left home for an unknown destination. He has the best wishes of a host of friends. He was at one time a contributor to our columns under the nom de plume of “En Avant”.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 10th November 1917:-
Intimation has also come to hand that Private R G Dawes of the Welsh Cyclists, is also in hospital suffering from wounds, the extent of which are not yet known.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 28th September 1918 :-
An impressive memorial service was held at St. David’s Church on Sunday evening, when the sacred edifice was filled to overflowing. The service was in honour of Private R. Taylor and Private R. G. Dawes, both of whom had made the supreme sacrifice in France. The men were formerly members of the 1st Swansea Valley Troops of Boy Scouts and the scouts, in honour of their dead comrades, parade to church, headed by their bugle band. A very able sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Secundus Jones (vicar) and the “Last Post” was sounded by Scouts Jenkin Evans and Morgan D. Williams. Mr. D. Rees Jones presided at the organ and the Dead March was played. The National Anthem was sung at the end.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 14th September 1918:-
The victories of the Welsh troops during the last couple of weeks, on the Western front, which won such, warm praise from Sir Douglas Haig, have, alas, been followed by many tragic messages to Welsh homes, however relatively lightly the casualties may have been. The beginning of the week Mr and Mrs. W. T. Green, Swanfield villas, Gurnos, received word that their son, Lance Corporal Cyril H. Green, had been severely wounded in the left arm, and had been brought to Glasgow hospital. He was with the Lewis Gun Section of 15th Battalion and has had two years service on France, and is now wounded the second time. The day before receiving this last wound, his brother Mr Bert Green who journeyed north to see hirn, he had a miraculous escape from death, and handed his brother a grim souvenir in the shape of a metal safety razor case and contents. This he carried in his left breast pocket and it was hit by a piece of shrapnel, which gashed open, the case, and smashed the razor handle and razors but he himself was unhurt that day. Prior to joining up, Lance Corporal Green was employed at the Yniscedwyn tin plate works.
It was from Lance Corporal Green that news first came of the death of Private Ronald Dawes, of Glanrhyd. The lads were companions in the same company and Dawes was killed the same day as Green had the escape referred to above. There is a tragic and pathetic interest in the fact, tearfully disclosed to his brother, by Corporal Green that Ronald Dawes died in his friend's arms and was buried by him near to the place where he fell. It appears that Dawes was slightly wounded in the arm about an hour before receiving the fatal wound, and was told by Green, who was in command of the gun company, to go back to the dressing station. The fighting at this point was very severe, and Dawes refused to return, saying pluckily, "No, Cyril, if we go west, we'll go west together."
Ronald Dawes was undoubtedly a brilliant boy, and under more fortunate circumstances would have made a mark in the world. He was of a lovable and genial disposition and a general favourite with his companions. Prior to enlisting he was a teacher at the Gurnos School. The deepest sympathy will go out to his family, and especially his aunt, Miss Thomas, by whom he was brought up.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 21st September 1918:-
Mr A B Dawes Glanrhyd has received a letter of sympathy from Lieutenant B H Minshull, commanding the company in which was his son Private Ronald Dawes, whose death in action was reported in our last issue. The Lieutenant states:
“Your son was a great favourite in the company and is missed very much by us all. It may be some consolation to you to know that he died fighting bravely and it is to such men as your son we owe our victories. His comrades join me in offering their deepest sympathy to you and assure you that though your brave lad is dead, he will always be remembered as one of the cheeriest and bravest men in the company.”
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 28th September 1918:-
An impressive memorial service was held at St. David’s Church on Sunday evening, when the sacred edifice was filled to overflowing. The service was in honour of Private R. Taylor and Private R. G. Dawes, both of whom had made the supreme sacrifice in France. The men were formerly members of the 1st Swansea Valley Troops of Boy Scouts and the scouts, in honour of their dead comrades, parade to church, headed by their bugle band. A very able sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Secundus Jones (vicar) and the “Last Post” was sounded by Scouts Jenkin Evans and Morgan D. Williams. Mr. D. Rees Jones presided at the organ and the Dead March was played. The National Anthem was sung at the end.
In memory of Private Ronald Dawes Glanrhyd Ystradgynlais, who fell in France 1918 23rd August.
Sleep Ronald Sleep
For freedom thou gavest thy best;
Sleep, sleep in peace
In the crimson acre rest!
Sleep Ronald Sleep
Britain called thee to enter the strife
Sleep Ronald sleep in peace
For her honour thou gavest thy life!
Sleep, Ronald sleep
Thou did’st fall with the heroes brave
Sleep Ronald sleep in peace
Our spirits will weep oe’r thy grave!
Sleep Ronald sleep
In France on a pillow of sod
Sleep Ronald sleep in peace
Thou did’st die, for thy country
Thy King and God!
Gwilym Cynlais
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 23rd August 1919:-
IN MEMORIAM
DAWES In loving memory of Ronald Guy DAWES, 15th Welsh Regiment, who was killed in active service 23rd August 1918
His gentle ways and loving smile
Are pleasant to recall;
He had a kindly word for each,
And was beloved by all;
It’s sweet to know we’ll meet again,
Where partings are no more,
And that the one we loved so dear
Has only gone before
Ever remembered by Father, Brother and Sisters and his loving Auntie
FEBRUARY 2014
Ronald was the Great Uncle of Janice and her sister. After contacting Yeargroup, they came to Ystradgynlais and we met up to visit several places including Maesydderwen School, Glanrhyd, Gurnos School and both War Memorials where Ronald’s name is listed. On their return Janice very kindly sent copies of some of his letters home and relatives of Ronald’s mother, Cathy and Ruth Price, supplied the photograph of him in uniform.
Yeargroup thanks the family for their input.
Val Trevallion
One of the letters Janice sent Yeargroup. It is from 1917, as we can tell by the fact that the 13th September fell on a Thursday and that this is the year when, after a period of training, Private Dawes left for the Western Front:-
290694 Lewis Gun Section “A” Coy 10th Welsh Regt B E F
Thursday Sept 13th
“Dear Nettie
I was awfully pleased to hear of your success and hope you are getting on swimmingly in “the” Profession. I am sorry I have not written before but I have been very busy. We have only been a few days out of the trenches and I am writing this in a little village somewhere in France. (I) am glad to say that I have again come through it without a scratch although everybody isn’t so lucky. We had a pretty warm time with Fritz but of course our gunners gave him a warmer time than he gave us.
I have met several Valley boys since I came out here. I was surprised to meet a chap named Cyril Green (used to live on the Gurnos) the other day. His Battalion was coming out with ours and he recognised me. I spent some time with W D Jones of Ystalyfera Butcher who was severely wounded shortly after we went into action according to the paper you sent me. He was in the Swansea’s’ (14th Batt).
I am sorry I am unable to send you a souvenir card this time Nettie but am short of money. I hope to send you one shortly however.
Tell Auntie I will write to her next and not to worry about me as I am all right though it is no picnic out here by any means.
Well Nellie, remember me to Mr Edward, Llew and all your fellow teachers at the Gurnos. How many “ – “ have you had yet. Did you feel as nervy as I did at first? I see that D T Price and Esiah Jones had a good deal of prominence in the Llais over their calling up. Presentation etc What oh! Well never mind I hope they are having a good time.
Well I will close now hoping to hear from you again soon.
Your affectionate brother
Ronnie
XXX
Apparently Ronald Dawes wrote for the LLAIS under the name EN ADVANT
Looking through the Llais the following article were found:
LLAIS LLAFUR 10th APRIL 1915 :-
COUNTY SCHOOL NEWS
The Ystradgynlais football correspondent “En Avant” who has recently contributed accounts of football match to our columns sends us the following account of the players of the Maesydderwen. He draws attention to the remarkable record of the team. Although all are young players they have beaten such schools as Port Talbot, Swansea Grammar and Ystalyfera (thrice) and have also maintained their ground record. They have undoubtedly worthily upheld the prestige of the school. The list of players will be continued next week. The following is the personnel of the team.
G 1 DAVIES: the popular captain plays wing or centre three quarter. Possessed of great speed, and of robust build, he had been a prolific scorer, and\has ably captained the side.
E R JONES: an excellent centre has played for too few games this season owing to injuries. He has served the school ably for four seasons.
ELLIS JONES: elected vice-captain, but early in the season enlisted. He is undoubtedly one of the finest forwards the school ever possessed, and his loss was keenly felt for some time.
PHILIP WILLIAMS: a player of the vigorous and wiry type, he has been very unlucky this season. He has a good turn of speed and is a hard worker.
OWEN JONES: an able centre he has a very powerful kick and plenty of speed. He is rather prone to individualism, but has played some good games during the season.
ELFED MORGAN: wing three quarter, has an excellent turn of speech, although built on the light side. He has scored some good tries during the season.
R G DAWES: Full back, a sound defender, who does not hesitate to go down to a rush. He has played consistently throughout the season although handicapped through injuries which affected his play on one occasion. (To be continued)
From the Llais Llafur newspaper, 24th April 1915:-
MAESYDDERWN FOOTBALLERS WHO'S WHO IN THE TEAM
This week, En Avant concludes his personal sketches of players of the Maesydderwen County School Football team. With this list, all the players have now been dealt with, and we are glad to learn that the notes have proved to be of considerable interest. It is to be hoped that they will be the means of making all the players into even better footballers in the future, than they have been in the past, and everybody knows that they have achieved great things during the season just closed. En Avant writes:
EMLYN JONES: inside half, a plucky young player who gets the ball well out of the scrum, and combines well with his partner. His chief fault is a tendency to run back.
A D OWEN: outside half, undoubtedly the most promising player of the team. He has played some brilliant games this season, notably against Brecon College. Combines speed and dash with excellent initiative and is magnificent in defence.
D 1 E WILLIAMS: half-back, a. tough proposition behind the scrum. He has played far too few games this season although a scrum worker of undoubted ability.
J PHILLIPS: forward, sturdy scrummager and possessed of a good turn of speed. He has proved a very able leader of the pack besides being able to play as a back. A product of Abercrave
LATIMER JAMES: a forward of gigantic proportions although one of the youngest players. He has proved a very useful forward indeed, being a solid scrummager and a powerful kick.
R J POWELL: of Seven Sisters is another forward of Herculean build. Is a worker from start to finish, and never knows when he is beaten
CHARLES WARE: is a useful forward, besides being a good defensive player. Has a good idea of the art of touch-finding and can also drop magnificently.
D T PRICE, a heavy forward, has speed and strength, but is inclined to play among the backs, although essentially a forward.
D T LLOYD: a very hard worker and a solid scrummager; good in attack and a fair defensive player. He is a very useful player.
E E GUPPY: the utility man of the side. He has played in all positions except half-back. He is a plucky defender although built on slight lines.
GLYN WILLIAMS: a young player is a coming forward and can play a hard game. Will be heard of again next season
NOEL BERESFORD: a very useful player, although handicapped by lack of inches. Is a very nippy half-back and will doubtlessly be heard of again. Great credit is due to the Captain for the way in which he has kept the team together, and helped to promote healthy feeling and sportsmanlike conduct among the players. As the majority of the players are young, the team will be strong next season, and will doubtlessly make a name for itself.
EN AVANT