Rees Davies – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Duchess of Cornwall

Third Engineer Rees Davies – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Duchess of Cornwall

Birth and Marriage

Rees Davies was born in 1886 in Swansea. Despite searches of available records, no official civil or census documentation relating to his early life has been identified. He married Frances Eliza Redford, who resided at 21 Bridgend Street, Splott, Cardiff.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

S.S. Duchess of Cornwall

During the First World War, Rees served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Third Engineer aboard the S.S. Duchess of Cornwall.

The S.S. Duchess of Cornwall was built by W. Gray & Company Ltd., West Hartlepool, in 1889, and at the time of her loss was owned by Duchess of Cornwall Steamship Company Ltd. (R. B. Chellew), Falmouth. She was a British steamship of 1,706 tons.

On 11^th April 1917, Duchess of Cornwall was on a voyage from London to Le Havre when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UC-26. The sinking occurred approximately five miles north of Cape Barfleur. Twenty-three members of the crew were lost.

Rees Davies
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical
Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Rees Davies
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical
Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Rees Davies was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial.