Cyril Charles Davies

 

The Home Guard during the Second World War was an unpaid armed citizen militia, which supported the ‘Home Forces’.  The Home Guard was operational from 1940 to 1944, comprising over 1.5 million local volunteers, who might have been ineligible for military service – either those who might have been too young or too old to enlist and who were employed in reserved occupations. 

The Home Guard was initially ordered to observe and report back to General Headquarters Home Forces.  They were also ordered to observe any airborne and seaborne invading forces that might have been active in their local area.   They also received a further order to subsequently to harass and obstruct the advancing enemy for the regular to regroup.

They were also tasked with guarding and defending any key transport intersections and factories in the rear areas, which could be captured by any enemy paratroops.

From 1942, the Home Guard manned any coastal artillery and anti-aircraft guns and rocket batteries, thus releasing the regular soldiers who might have been used for the invasion of Europe.  This role, the Home Guard carried on until late 1944, when they were stood down.  The Home Guard was formally disbanded in December 1945, 8 months after the surrender of Germany.

Swansea had three Home Guard units

12^th (Swansea) Battalion, Glamorgan Home Guard.  It was affiliated with the Welsh Regiment, the Battalion, which was established in May 1940, of those men who were in reserved occupations.

14^th (Swansea) Battalion, Glamorgan Home Guard. It was affiliated with the Welsh Regiment, the Battalion, which was established in May 1940, of those men who were in reserved occupations.

15^th (Gower) Battalion, Glamorgan Home Guard. It was affiliated with the Welsh Regiment, the Battalion, which was established in May 1940, of those men who were in reserved occupations.

Cyril Charles Davies
St. Pauls
credit - findagrave

Corporal Cyril Charles Davies, served with the 18^th Glamorganshire (Post Office) Battalion, Home Guard, and died on 12^th September 1942, aged 45.  He was buried at St. Pauls.  He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Davies and husband of Eileen Davies, of Mumbles.

The 18^th Glamorganshire (Post Office) Battalion had men who were employed by the General Post Office, and their main task was to protect the communications equipment of the GPO.

1901 Census

Born in 1897, Cyril at the time of the 1901 Census, was 4 years old. He was residing at 16 Graig Terrace, Swansea.  His father, Thomas, 44 was employed as an Engine Fitter.  Mother, Elizabeth, 35.  Cyril’s older siblings were Eveline Ann, 12; Gladys Millicent, 7 and Olive May, 7.  There was a younger sibling, 9-month-old Brinley Howell.

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, Cyril now 14, was residing at 4 Dynevor Place.  His father, Thomas, 54, is still an Engine Fitter. Elizabeth, 45.  Cyril’s older siblings, Eveline Frances, 22, is a Clerk; Gladys Millicent, 19 is a Student and Olive May, 17, is a Draper Assistant.  Cyril is a Telegraph Messenger.  His younger siblings are Brinley Howell, 10, and 4-year-old Gwyneth Eileen.

1939 Register

The 1939 Register records that Cyril and his wife, Hettie, are living at 12 Lon Iorwg.

South Wales Daily Post

South Wales Daily Post

Sadly, in September 1942, whilst on duty, Cyril collapsed and died. His death is reported in the South Wales Daily Post, which also reports his funeral.