Photograph of David Richards at the Theological College, Brecon, c.1900.

David Richards was born on 10 March 1876 in 'Tanrallt', Gwynfe, Carmarthenshire, the son of Thomas Richards, a carpenter and farmer, and his wife Rachel. When David was about twelve years old, the family moved to Alltwen and they made their home on Graig Road in the shadow of Graig yr Alltwen.
His health deteriorated as the tuberculosis in 1903 forced him to return home. In order to restore his strength he took two voyages, the first to America in 1904 and the second to New York in 1905. The record shows that he was not admitted to the USA because of his illness and he was forced to return to Wales. He died of the illness on 8 June 1906.