David Davies

Born into a Welsh mining community, David never lost his identity with his roots. This fact was characterised by his love of rugby union, his political understanding of the 'underdog' & the humanity which he felt for others, especially people who were in crisis, impoverished and displaced.

Affectionately known as 'Grumpy' (Grumps, The Grumpster, etc) to his grandchildren, David embraced this title. He even seemed quite tickled when one of his grandsons, in an angelic three-year-old voice, first delivered the song, "Grumpy is lumpy & he's bald." at the dinner table.

In his later years, David was comfortable at home watching SkySports (mostly rugby) & enjoying his wife's delicious cooking. The dog, cat & chickens were not really his idea, but he tolerated (& secretly enjoyed) them for Mary's sake & appreciated the beauty of Hythe & especially of his own back garden. He accepted his health constraints and was content mostly staying in and living this life, until, due to Covid, he was told that he could not go out- at which point he was apoplectic!

David always held the Salvation Army in high regard. Moving from a town in South Wales to Hackney, he saw them meeting the needs of those struggling in an urban community with compassion and practicality. In his hometown of Treorchy, he felt that these people would have been looked after by the locals in much the same way.

After moving to Hythe in 2008, David & Mary were involved with the Salvation Army as volunteers & donated to the charity monthly. David respected this organisation for tackling the more gritty and less glamorous areas of local life, staying true to his religious values and moral background by regarding every human as an equal whom he should support in times of need. From his Treorchy roots, his understanding of & compassion for the 'underdog' remained strong.

We would like to celebrate David and help his memory to live on. We have therefore set up this page and invite you to add photos, stories and memories (scroll down). If you feel that you would like to make a donation in his name, we would be very grateful for contributions to The Salvation Army, Hythe.

Many thanks!