David John George Watkins, known as Jack, was one of thirteen children from 6 Oak Street, Cwmbran. He was a bright young man and received a first class honours degree in Latin. It is not known when he joined the Army but it is likely that he joined as a Private in 1916 and became a Second Lieutentant of the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers sometime in 1917. It appears that this was one of the first letters he sent after joining the Army in 1916.