David George Rees (1898-1938) was born in Barry, South Glamorgan. He attended Gladstone Road School until the age of 14 and then apprenticed as a Barry Channel Pilot. His apprenticeship was interrupted by war service and in 1915 he joined the R.N.R. at the age of 17 yrs. David took part in the rescue of HMS Vindictive at Ostend on 9th and 10th May 1918. Their mission was to prevent enemy submarines entering and leaving Ostend Harbour and causing havoc amongst allied shipping. He was coxswain of Motor Launch 254 and was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.