Major Gwynne Davies
School 1945-48
Gwynne remembered his time at The Leys with great fondness and gratitude. Initially reluctant to leave grammar school, he joined The Leys while it was still based in Pitlochry. By the time the School returned to Cambridge he had found a deep sense of belonging, later recalling that he shed more tears on leaving than on arriving.
The strong sense of community he experienced there stayed with him throughout his life. The values of loyalty, pride, teamwork and shared responsibility that he absorbed proved invaluable during his subsequent military career, particularly as a young officer entrusted with the leadership of others. Gwynne retained a lifelong affection for the School, enjoyed reunions, and held the school song Xaipete close to his heart. Its words were read by his daughter Suzanne at his funeral and printed in the order of service; a fitting reflection of what The Leys meant to him.
Gwynne married Patricia in 1956. Their daughters, Suzanne and Louise, were born in 1958 and 1963 respectively. His distinguished military career with the South Wales Borderers took him to postings across Germany, Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Cyprus, Ghana and Northern Ireland. He completed staff officer training at the Army Staff College, Camberley, in 1964 and was mentioned in despatches in 1975.
After leaving the Army in 1976, Gwynne embarked on a second career as a senior personnel manager with Argos, where he worked for 12 years until retirement. In later life, he particularly enjoyed travelling with Patricia, with cruises among his greatest pleasures.
Words by Patricia Davies and Liz Walden