A search launched online by Pembrokeshire Archives for the family of a WWI soldier from Strumble Head has yielded some incredible results.

Frenchman Louis Sabos had contacted the Archives service for help in tracing the family of Private Henry Davies, who died of his wounds on 4th November 1918 after fighting at the Sambre canal near the battlefields of the Western Front.

Mr Sabos had come across a photograph of Private Davies near the Canonne Farm British Cemetery in Northern France and wanted to find his family so that together they could honour his memory next year - a century since his death.

After doing his own research, he contacted Pembrokeshire Archives, who helped him with further study and then posted the story on their Facebook page - appealing for any family of Private Davies to get in touch.

Within less than an hour, Claire Phillips of Llangwm had contacted them to say she was the great-great niece of Private Davies, who grew up in St Nicholas, near Fishguard.

Claire’s grandmother, the late Mrs Megan Phillips of Fishguard, was Henry Davies’ niece, and the family have carried out a great deal of research into his life over the years.

But what was even more extraordinary was that Henry Davies was already the inspiration for a short film called ‘Gathering the Graves’, written by Claire’s husband Bob and premiered at Llangwm Literary Festival this year.

The film follows the story of the War Graves commission and was inspired by Henry, and Bob’s great-uncle Charles John who was killed at Mametz in July 1916.

With co-producer Lloyd Grayshon, Bob is planning to develop the film into a full-length screenplay and as part of his research, he was already intending to visit Henry Davies’ grave and the WWI battlefields in 2018.

Bob said it was an incredible coincidence that Mr Sabos had been looking for the family of the very soldier who had inspired his film.

“There are many untold stories behind the fallen soldiers of the First World War, and our intention is to bring those stories to the fore,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to making contact with Mr Sabos and telling him all about our research and what we are planning to do.”

The mystery of how a photograph of Private Davies was found near the cemetery was also solved.

Great-niece Mrs Pam Harries of Roch, whose grandfather was Henry’s brother William, said she left a photograph of Henry at his grave when she visited the cemetery in 2015 with her daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter.

“It was just so peaceful there, and I was so pleased that we went, but I never thought it would be as emotional as it was. It was a very, very emotional experience,” she said.

Meanwhile, Henry Davies’ niece Mrs Maureen Edwards of Goodwick also contacted the Archives to say that she and her sister Mrs Dilys Thomas – who will be 99 this week – are the daughters of Henry’s brother George, who received a military medal for bravery in the field.

Louis Sabos said he was very happy that so many of Henry Davies’ relatives had come forward, and that he ‘hoped to receive many news, photographs and maybe different anecdotes on Private Davies’ short life’.

“I see that my project to honour Private Henry Davies and his family in November 2018 presents a real Success. Thank you,” he said.

Helen Evans, Archives and Local Studies Assistant, said she was delighted that the Facebook page had resulted in such a quick response to Mr Sabos’ appeal.

She said: “It’s been a pleasure to help Louis find some of the relatives of Private Henry Davies and to find out that a film is being made about him by members of his family. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we hear about this story as we approach the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

“Pembrokeshire Archives’ Facebook page unites ex-pats all over the world, who wish to stay in touch with the county, and local history enthusiasts here.”

Pembrokeshire Archives is run by Pembrokeshire County Council and is based at Prendergast, Haverfordwest.

Contact can be made by phoning 01437 775456, emailing [email protected], or through the Pembrokeshire Archives Facebook page.