Lives of the First World War

In uniform.

Memorial card "In Loving Memory of our dear David" with poems in English and Welsh

Article from Aberdare Leader. NB: Article is wrong in saying that David Grifiths' father was already dead: he died in 1943.

News has been received by his parents that Cpl. Dd Isaac Griffiths, Goleugoed-fawr, Mothvey, formerly of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, but lately attached to the Machine-gun Corps, has been killed in action in France.

Image provided to me by Barclay's Bank Archive

This photograph is from the album of Esther Isaac,his mothers sister.

The War Memorial is near the gates to Myddfai Parish Church.

David was killed on the 10th of April and this letter waswritten to Davids parents on the 20th of April by Sgt W.Small No 8 Co Machine Gun Corps.

Letter produced Nov 30 1921 over 4 yrs after his death.

Memorial Scroll for Cpl.David Isaac Griffiths Machine Gun Corps.

Death Plaque received by Davids father.

Transcription of page 1: Dear Batchie, Thanks so very much for photo - very good indeed - another treasure to carry along with me, also thanks very much for parcel of tobacco and chocs with little letter. I am very sorry I have not acknowledged them earlier but I have not had much time to myself this week. I am sure it must be a change for your Dad to do farm work. I suppose like many others he has had some land tilled that he would never have [continued]

Transcription of text: dreamt of "cutting up" had there not been such an ardent appeal from the Prime Minister + Food Controller. The war is really responsible for marvelous changes in the lives of people. The older folk can see it more than us. I am staying today in what might be called a "prehistoric home". I will be able to tell you, some day, all about it. Please give my kindest regards to all your fold. Yours sincerely, David

Address (written in David Isaac Griffith's hand) Miss B Griffiths North Western Hotel Llandovery Carms South Wales Written at the top corner, in Batchie Griffiths' hand: The last letter Killed on Apr 17th [sic] 1917

This is the first page of the war diary for 10 April 1917. David Isaac Griffiths' death is recorded on the second page.

This is the second page of the war diary for 10 April 1917, recording David Isaac Griffiths' death.

Transcription:Mr. and Mrs. David Griffiths, of Goleugoed-fawr farm, near this town, received the sad tidings on Friday last that their eldest son, Corporal David Isaac Griffiths Machine Gun Corps., had been killed in action in France. Prior to enlistment, Corporal Griffiths was a cashier at the Aberdare branch of the London and Provincial Bank. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved parents and family. Sergeant Small of his companv in communicating the news to the father, stated that Corporal Griffiths was engaged in the recent operations in France, when he was struck by shrapnel and killed. He was one of the best of soldiers, thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, and as a comrade was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he came in contact. He died as he had lived, bravely doing his duty. and he had died the noblest of deaths. Source: The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser of 4th May 1917, http://newspapers.library.wales/view/3690430/3690432/19/

Commemorative plaque at the Anneau de la Mémoire, also known as the Mémorial international Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, at Ablain-Saint-Nazairein the Pas-de-Calais département.

Image from Barclays Bank Book of Remembrance - World War One. Completed in April 1959, with parchment pages, the book was decorated and gilded by Dorothy Hutton.

Sent home by David to his parents

Sent by David to his mother.

After WW2 it was decided that the permanent official Barclays Bank memorial should be an illuminated inscribed book of remembrance, one for each war. Originally put on display in a purpose-built wall case at 54 Lombard Street, the books were then put on display in the new head office building in the 1990s, and when the head office moved in 2005 to 1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, the books were put on display in cases there. The WW1 book lists members of staff who lost their lives serving in the armed forces, separated into Barclays Bank, London and South Western Bank, and London and Provincial Bank. The book has parchment pages, with leather binding, engrossed, decorated and gilded by Dorothy Hutton, and bound by Sydney M Cockerell, and includes illustrations of head offices and coats of arms of the three banks. The image shows the page of the WW1 book which features this person’s name as an employee of Barclays Bank Limited.

Image of a London & Provincial Bank framed and glazed colour-printed WW1 roll of honour. Reproduced in monochrome in “History of Barclays Bank Limited”, P W Matthews & A W Tuke, 1926, page 400.

Image of the original London and Provincial Bank WW1 memorial panel formerly in the Great Hall at 54 Lombard Street. Published in Spread Eagle (the staff magazine of Barclays Bank), volume 26 (1951), page 461.