J. D. Griffith Davies 1899-1953 (Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society, 1937-1946)

Abstract

John David Griffith Davies was born at Trellech, Mon., on 9 January 1899. His childhood and youth were spent at Trellech Vicarage where his father, the Rev. Thomas Davies, was incumbent. Thomas Davies was of Cardiganshire yeoman stock: he served his parish faithfully for forty years, enjoying the long tramps which his visiting involved, and relaxed in gardening and in reading the classics. He was nearly forty when ‘Jack’ was born, he was set in an uncompromising mould, and he kept his son at his books often when the boy would have preferred to be off with others: humorous and a good host he was in fact, with his stern standards, rather a frightening parent—but Davies spoke of him many times to me, and always with regard and affection. He was one of the early Fabians and later, for many years, Chairman of the Monmouthshire County Council. Jack’s mother, Margaret Ann Davies, came from Treforest, Glam.; she was the oldfashioned parson’s wife, with a strong matriarchal attitude towards the village. There were cheerful parties at the vicarage, and dances in the barn converted into a Parish Hall. Many of Jack’s young friends were sons of neighbouring parsons, lively fellows, mostly athletes, but Jack’s inferiors in the classroom. Griffith Davies went to Monmouth School where he did well in class and games, particularly Rugby football. He was greatly influenced there by Angus Buchanan, older than himself; their families were friends. Buchanan, a fine scholar and athlete, went to Jesus College, Oxford, and left for the 1914 war: he was severely wounded and blinded, winning the V.C. He returned to Oxford after the war and graduated in law; Davies, who was an unusual mixture of roughness, tenderness, energy, impetuosity and chivalry, took affectionate care of him there.