Tributes paid to DT Davies, first chairman of Council

THE Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has paid tribute to David ‘DT’ Davies on the sad news of his death, aged 101.

DT Davies was a long serving county councillor and was the first Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council between 1995 and 1997.

He was granted the Honorary Freedom of Carmarthenshire to mark his 100th birthday in July, 2018.

The council has confirmed that flags will be flown at half-mast at Carmarthenshire’s civic buildings on the day of Mr Davies’s funeral, which is yet to be announced.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of DT Davies, a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a man with a huge strength of character, and as a council we enjoyed his visit to County Hall on his 100th birthday when it was our pleasure to grant him the Honorary Freedom of Carmarthenshire.

“He led an interesting life, serving Queen and Country in WWII as a member of the Royal Artillery, spending three years as a prisoner of war and escaping his captors before returning to Britain – tales he proudly told in a book he published in 2016.

“On behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council, I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family. DT was a wonderful man, and he will be sorely missed.”

David Tom Davies served as a councillor for his local area of Dryslwyn, near Llandeilo, from 1970 to 2003, chairing the former Dyfed County Council from 1981-82, Carmarthenshire County Council from 1995-97, and on several education committees and boards.

He was one of three founder members of the National Botanic Garden of Wales as well as Aberglasney Gardens, where he was a life member.

He was granted the Honorary Freedom of Carmarthenshire on July 11, 2018, and was presented with a commemorative scroll by then council Chairman Cllr Mansel Charles.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Davies described it as ‘amazing honour’.

To date, the Freedom of the County of Carmarthenshire has only ever been awarded to the Royal Welsh Regiment in 2009; to the late William David Thomas OBE for services to Local Government in 2014; and to the late David Tom Davies for services to Local Government in 2018.