David Brindley James – Welsh Regiment, Depot

Private David Brindley James – Welsh Regiment, Depot

David Brindley James was born in 1891, at Morriston, the son of Rees James and Margaret James.

1891 Census – Pleasant Terrace, Llangyfelach

1891 Census

At the time of the 1891 Census, the James family were living at Pleasant Terrace, Llangyfelach, Swansea. Rees, aged 27, worked as a Tinplate Worker, while his wife Margaret, aged 20, kept the home. Their children were John (4), who was attending school, William H. (2), and the youngest, David Brindley, then just one month old.

1901 Census – Springfield Street, Morriston

1901 Census

By 1901, the family had moved to 1 Springfield Street, Morriston. Rees, now 36, was employed as a Washerman in the tinplate works, and Margaret, aged 30, continued her household duties. Their children were John (14), working as a Rall Tender at the tin works; William H. (12); David B. (10); and Rees T. (6). The census shows a growing family firmly rooted in Morriston’s industrial community.

1911 Census – Still at No. 1 Springfield Street

1911 Census

A decade later, the James family remained at 1 Springfield Street. Rees, aged 47, was recorded as a Tinman, and Margaret, aged 41, continued to run the home. Their sons were now all engaged in work: John (24), an Annealer; William Harris (22), also an Annealer; David Brindley (20), employed as a Behinder; and Rees Francis (17), working in Cold Rolling. The household reflects the typical pattern of Morriston families whose sons entered the tinplate industry as soon as they were of age.

David Brindley James
Morriston Cemetery
credit - finagrave

Military Service

David Brindley James served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment, Depot, joining the long line of Morriston men who enlisted during the First World War.

Death and Burial

David died on 23 May 1918, during the final year of the war. He was buried at Morriston Cemetery. His grave does not have a military headstone, yet his name remains part of the community’s wartime story and the wider roll of Morriston’s fallen.