Arthur Picton Davies – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Technical Training Command

Aircraftman 2nd Class Arthur Picton Davies – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Technical Training Command

Early Life and Family Background

Arthur Picton Davies was born in 1908 at Llanarthney, Carmarthenshire, the son of Thomas Davies and Agnes Evans, who had married in 1903 at Llandilofawr. He spent his early childhood in rural Carmarthenshire, where his parents were part of a close and industrious community shaped by chapel life, education, and the expanding coal industry.

The Family in the 1911 Census

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, the Davies family were living at Penrhwylfa Cart, Llandebie, RSO. Thomas, then thirty‑two, was employed as a Clerk, while Agnes, aged thirty, worked as a Teacher. Their young children, Arthur Picton, aged three, and Gwilym Evans, aged one, were recorded in the household, along with two visitors: Annie Evans, aged twenty‑nine, and E. A. Keepence, aged forty‑one.

The Family in the 1921 Census

1921 Census

A decade later, the 1921 Census places the family at Preswylfa, Maesybont, Gorslas, Llanelly. Thomas, now forty‑three, was employed as a Colliery Clerk with the Caerbryn Anthracite Colliery Co. Ltd., Llandebie, while Agnes, aged forty‑one, was recorded as the householder. Their children had grown into a busy school‑age household: Arthur Picton, fourteen; Gwilym Evans, eleven; Nancy Phoebe, nine; Agnes Marjorie, seven; and the youngest, Dorothy Louisa, aged one.

The Family in the 1939 Register

1939 Register 

On the eve of the Second World War, the 1939 Register records the family at 32 Tirydail Lane, Ammanford. Thomas was employed as a Colliery Stores Clerk, and Agnes undertook Unpaid Domestic Duties. Arthur, now an adult, worked as a Colliery Pay Clerk, while his brother Gwilym was listed as an Unemployed Coal Hewer. Their sisters Nancy and Dorothy were also present, both engaged in domestic duties.

Service with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Technical Training Command

Arthur enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, serving under Technical Training Command, the organisation responsible for preparing ground personnel, tradesmen, and technical specialists essential to the functioning of the wartime RAF. He held the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class and was stationed at RAF Wilmslow, Cheshire, one of the principal training centres for recruits entering technical and administrative roles. It was here, during his period of service, that he fell seriously ill.

Arthur Picton Davies
Morriston Cemetery
credit - finagrave

Death and Burial

On 17 January 1943, Arthur died at an RAF Hospital, his death attributed to pneumonia, a condition that remained dangerous even in wartime medical facilities. His body was brought home to Wales, and he was laid to rest with dignity at Morriston Cemetery, Swansea, ensuring that he returned to the community from which he came.