Evan Basil Davies – Merchant Navy, S.S. Empire Wagtail
Able Seaman Evan Basil Davies – Merchant Navy, S.S. Empire Wagtail Early Life Evan Basil Davies was born in 1917 in Swansea , the son of Evan Beynon Davies and Mary Ethel Harris , who had married in Swansea in 1914 . Family 1921 Census The 1921 Census records the Davies family living at 5 Moreton Terrace, St. Thomas, Swansea . Evan’s father, Evan Beynon Davies , aged 35 and born in Cardiganshire, was employed as a Temporary Clerk with the Medical Pensions Board . His mother, Mary Ethel , aged 33 , was at home caring for their three children: Bernardine , aged 6 and attending school; Evan Basil , aged 4 ; and David E. , aged 2 . The census reflects a young family firmly rooted in Swansea. Service in the Merchant Navy Evan Basil later joined the Merchant Navy , serving as an Able Seaman , a skilled deck rating responsible for watch‑keeping, maintenance, and essential seamanship duties. The Merchant Seamen Deaths register records his home address at the time of service ...