Thomas, David John (Afan)

Composer

b Llan Baglan, nr Cwmavon, W Glamorgan 1881, d S Wales 1928. He learned to play the violin from the age of 6, and the piano soon afterwards, under the home tuition of his grandfather David Nicholas. He went on to study at the Univ Coll of Wales, and at Bournemouth and Cardiff, with tutors such as (respectively) Dr David Evans, Dr W E Thomas and Dr Joseph Parry. He won awards at several Eisteddfodau including Gwent and Anglesey, and served for 25 years at the Bethesda Chapel, Briton Ferry nr Port Talbot, where he also conducted an orchestra and two choirs. His compositions include part songs, a cantata, solos and many hymn tunes, his vocal music being the most successful. Known to be a practical person, he is also described by Cliff Knight as ‘a man of small stature and of a very independent character’. No.686.