Arthur Owen Vaughan

Lt. Colonel Arthur Owen Vaughan, (6 September 1863 – 15 October 1919), also known by his bardic name Owen Rhoscomyl, was an English-born writer, soldier and Welsh nationalist. Born as Robert Scowfield Mills in England, Owen Rhoscomyl was influenced by his Welsh grandmother and became a notable patriot to Wales and its history.

Early life Vaughan was born in Southport, Lancashire, but moved to Droylsden, Lancashire where he was raised. As a child, Vaughan was highly influenced by his maternal grandmother, who was born in Tremeirchion in North Wales. At the age of 15 he ran away from home and went to sea, travelling to America. There he became a cowboy and found work in mining camps before returning to Britain.

Military career In 1887 he joined the 1st (Royal) Dragoons. He left the Royal Dragoons in 1890 but served again in the British Army in the Boer War of 1899–1902. Vaughan served in several horse troops, mainly in Rimington'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. In October 1901 he joined Ross's Canadian Scouts, an anti-commando outfit previously led by Arthur L. Howard,

When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Vaughan was prominent in recruiting a new regiment in South Wales, the Welsh Horse Yeomanry, hoping - in vain, as it turned out - to be given command. Temporary Lt.-Col. Vaughan of the Labour Corps was awarded the DSO in the 1919 New Year Honours.

Literary career and later life

While in South Africa, Vaughan met and married Katharina Louisa (Katherine Lois) Geere secretly on the banks of the Vaal River near Parys in December 1901. with the badge of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and a Celtic cross honouring his achievements for the Welsh A Scout's Story (1908) Ou Hendrik se Stories (1908) translated into Dutch Lone Tree Lode (1913) The Matter of Wales (1913) Numerous short stories (1904-1909)