Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Owen Vaughan DSO, OBE, DCM | |
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_(cropped).jpg) Arthur Owen Vaughan,c. 1880 | |
| Born | Robert Scowfield Mills (1863-09-06)6 September 1863 Southport,Lancashire, England |
| Died | 15 October 1919(1919-10-15) (aged 56) |
| Resting place | St Thomas' Church,Rhyl,Flintshire |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Other names | Owen Rhoscomyl |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, soldier |
| Known for | Welsh nationalism, writing |
| Notable work | Flame-Bearers of Welsh History: Being the outline of the Sons of Cunedda |
| Spouse | Katharina Louisa (Katherine Lois) Geere |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order,Order of the British Empire,Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Lt. ColonelArthur Owen Vaughan,DSO, OBE, DCM (6 September 1863 – 15 October 1919), also known by hisbardic nameOwen Rhoscomyl, was anEnglish-born writer, soldier andWelsh nationalist. Born asRobert Scowfield Mills in England, Owen Rhoscomyl was influenced by his Welsh grandmother and became a notable patriot to Wales and its history.
Vaughan was born inSouthport,Lancashire, but moved toDroylsden, Lancashire where he was raised. As a child, Vaughan was highly influenced by his maternal grandmother, who was born inTremeirchion in North Wales. At the age of 15 he ran away from home and went to sea,[1] travelling to America. There he became acowboy and found work in mining camps before returning to Britain.
In 1887 he joined the1st (Royal) Dragoons. He left the Royal Dragoons in 1890 but served again in the British Army in theBoer War of 1899–1902. Vaughan served in several horse troops, mainly[2] inRimington's Guides and their successor unit Damant's Horse. While in this unit, Sergeant Vaughan was mentioned for bravery under fire and awarded the DCM.[3] In October 1901 he joined Ross's Canadian Scouts, an anti-commando outfit previously led byArthur L. Howard,[2] in which Vaughan reached the rank of captain.[4]
When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Vaughan was prominent in recruiting a new regiment in South Wales, theWelsh Horse Yeomanry, hoping - in vain, as it turned out - to be given command. Temporary Lt.-Col. Vaughan of the Labour Corps was awarded theDSO in the1919 New Year Honours.[5]
While inSouth Africa, Vaughan met and married Katharina Louisa (Katherine Lois) Geere secretly on the banks of theVaal River nearParys[6] in December 1901.[2]
On his return to Britain in 1902, Vaughan set out to promote Wales and in 1905 he completed his most famous workFlame-Bearers of Welsh History: Being the outline of the Sons of Cunedda, which looked at the contribution of the Welsh to the growth of theBritish Empire. In 1906 he wrote the novelOld Fireproof, followed byVronina (1906) andLone Tree Lode (1913).
He was a member ofLegion of Frontiersmen.
In 1909 Vaughan scripted the National Pageant of Wales, held atCardiff Castle. In 1911 he scripted the National Pageant at theInvestiture of the Prince of Wales inCarnarvon Castle.[2]
He and Katherine had four children. Katherine died in 1927, while Vaughan died in 1919. A fund was raised to provide a memorial for his grave in honour of his Welsh patriotism in St Thomas' Church,Rhyl,Flintshire. Two headstones mark his grave: anImperial War Graves Commission headstone under the name, Lt Col A. O. Vaughan,[7] with the badge of theKing's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and aCeltic cross honouring his achievements for the Welsh[2] under his bardic name Owen Roscomyl.[2]
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