A Bristol University Student

A Bristol University Student

16th May 1920

Thomas Ivor Eustis, generally known simply as Ivor Eustis, was born in Llangyfelach, Swansea in 1897, one of eight children born to John Eustis and Mary Rees. Little is known of his war time experience as his service record is one of those destroyed during the Second World War. However we do know that he died in 1920 from injuries received during the war. An article in the Swansea and Glamorgan Herald dated 29th May 1920 reads as follows. HEROIC STUDENT. Mynyddbach Sergeant Dies of Wounds. Poignant scenes were witnessed at the funeral at Mynyddbach on Thursday of the late Thomas Ivor Eustis, a young student at Bristol university, who died earlier in the week [16th May 1920] following an operation at a Bristol Hospital for the removal of shrapnel from his temple. One of the best known boys in the Mynyddbach and Morriston district, he resided with his parents at Pengwern road, Mynyddbach. When war broke out he was pursuing his studies at Bristol, and was then just 18 years of age. He joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and in course of time was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He served in France until 12 months before the Armistice, when he was wounded in the temple when making an heroic attempt to save one of his officers. His courageous act was brought to the notice of the authorities, and some time later the award of the Military Cross was gazetted. All who had come into contact with Eustis knew him as a boy of lovable disposition, ready at all times to help in a good cause, possessed with ability both in the realms of sport and as a scholar, and withal modest almost to a fault. At Bristol he was very popular, and the grief of all colleagues there was shown by the presence of a number of them at the funeral, six acting' as bearers. The Rev. James Davies, Mynyddbach, officiated at the last obsequies, a feature being the remarkable attendance, the cortege reaching the whole length of the road from the deceased’s parents' home to the cemetery. The chief Mourners were Mr. and Mrs. John Eustis (parents), Mr. and Mrs. Rees, (grandparents), Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eustis (brother), Mr. G Eustis and Master Dan Eustis (brothers), Misses Hannah, Grace and Lottie Eustis (sisters). There was a large number of wreaths, including beautiful tributes from the students of Bristol University and the staff' of Llangyfelach Council Schools. [end] Note discrepancy in days and dates. Died 16/5/1920 (Sunday) Newspaper report 29/5/1920 (Saturday) Newspaper reported that he died “earlier in the week”. This is wrong. There is an unusual family coincidence; Ivor was my mother’s first cousin, but was courting (walking out with) a young lady in my father’s family, although my parents had not meet at that time.

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  • Profile picture for Thomas Ivor Eustis

    Born 1897

    Died 1920

    British Army 46144 Lance Corporal Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    British Army 46144 Sergeant Royal Welch Fusiliers