The Cambrian News
Friday, February 14th, 1941
OBITUARY – ROBERT VAUGHAN, K.B.E.
AN APPRECIATION OF A GREAT WELSHMAN
(BY JOHN A. CASEBY)
Robert Vaughan, Knight of the British Empire, died on January 16th, 1941, at Garthmaelan, Dolgelley, Merioneth. A true democrat with a great heart has passed on to his Father. All over the Principality, he will be mourned for many a long day, the small farmers of the moorlands and valleys, the railwaymen of the G.W.R., the cottagers in their bwthyn bach, who keep a milk goat because Robert Vaughan gave them one to help the family milk supply, all knew him as a good friend. He had many gifts that the gods bestow on few. An intense love for animals and birds, a great hatred of humbug and false pride, an infectious laugh which his friends loved to hear, an energy like a giant dynamo which sent his electricity into everything he tackled to final success.
Fifteen years ago when I went to Wales he collaborated with me in the formation of the Welsh Goat Breeders Association and remained its Chairman all the time and right up to his death. His interest in goats was far deeper than the simple fact that a milk goat can keep a family in milk for many months each year. Robert Vaughan saw through his eyes to his heart that Wales was bleeding slowly and painfully through the ravages of T.B. and he did a great work, more than any other institution, to fight that white plague.
He gave goats from his Garthmaelan herd to sufferers year after year and he travelled all over the 13 counties advising and encouraging the poor people. The only herd of true Welsh goats in the country was kept at his beautiful home, Garthmaelan, high in the moorlands facing majestic Cader Idris mountain. Many dogs and cats were also to be found there spending a quiet life after the hardships of an earlier life of cruelty. When a rough was prosecuted for ill-treating a dog or cat at the local Police Court, Robert Vaughan, J.P., would see that due punishment was meted to the offender and then he would buy the poor creature from the rough and take it home where it would soon be happy. When in these days one hears so much of democracy it was wonderful to meet one who was the epitome of democracy, one who could mix with the ordinary people and who knew them all by their Christian names. Robert Vaughan was a pillar of the Church in Wales but he was much more than that, he was a staunch Christian. There is really only one test of a Christian and that is a simple one. Did he love and work all the time for his fellow men? did he love the creatures and the flowers of the countryside?
Robert Vaughan passed with honours and, now he has gone for his reward.
