James Arthur Davies, OBE (1923-2007)

[Michael Rhodes]

James Arthur Davies, educationist: born Boncath, Pembrokeshire 12
January 1923; Principal, Normal College, Bangor 1969-85; OBE 1989;
married 1959 Nesta Williams (two daughters); died Bangor 17 February
2007.

http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2308392.ece

J. A. Davies spent the latter part of the Second World War in hiding
and as a POW, after baling out of his Lancaster over the Netherlands
in February 1944. Having taken off with 101 Squadron from Ludford
Magna in Leicestershire, the plane had been hit by German flak as it
approached Leipzig on what was only the young Special Duty Operator's
second sortie. The aircraft was in flames and, the last of the crew to
jump, Jim Davies pulled the rip-cord on his parachute with the Welsh
words "Ein Tad, dyma dy gyfle di" ("Our Father, this is your chance!")
as he plunged into the darkness