David Watts Morgan
David Watts Morgan, CBE, DSO, JP (18 December 1867 – 23 February 1933), who later in life hyphenated his name to Watts-Morgan, was a Welsh trade unionist, a Labour politician, and a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1918 to 1933.
David Watts Morgan | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Rhondda East | |
| In office 1918–1933 | |
| Preceded by | new constituency |
| Succeeded by | William Mainwaring |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 December 1867 Skewen, Wales |
| Died | 23 February 1933 (aged 65) Porth, Wales |
| Political party | Labour Party 1918–1933 |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1919 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | 10th and 17th Battalions, Welsh Regiment Works Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
Described as "[straddling] the transition in south Wales miners' politics from Lib-Labism to socialism, but ... never fully representative of either", Morgan encouraged Rhondda miners to enlist in the army in 1914 following the outbreak of the First World War, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his efforts. He initially served in the Welsh Regiment, before becoming a lieutenant-colonel in the Labour Corps. Morgan was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for bravery at the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, earning him the nickname "Dai Alphabet" in South Wales.