Eccentric farmer who left £1.3million to an air ambulance charity ‘died of a broken heart’ when his sister passed away just months earlier

• The massive donation will help save up to 280 lives, Wales Air Ambulance say
• Siblings chose charity after a tractor accident on remote farm in Corwen, Wales
• Neighbours described siblings as ‘eccentric’ and how they made them ‘smile’

A farmer who left £1.3 million to an air ambulance after it saved his life died of a broken heart when his beloved sister passed away, Mailonline can reveal.

Charles Davies, 92, and his sister Margaret Davies, 89, left most their estate after helicopter paramedics saved him when he became trapped under a tractor for more than an hour.

Neighbours said neither any had children and were “inseparable” at the Welsh remote farm where they looked after sheep and cows.

They had lived on the farm in the small village of Llandrillo, Denbighshire for all their lives with their parents and four brothers and sisters who also had no children,

Eccentric farmer Charles died within a few months of his sister in November 2019.

Their donation is the largest legacy given to the Wales Air Ambulance.

Margaret Davies, 89 and Charles Davies, 92, left most of their estate and wealth to Wales Air Ambulance

The donation by Margaret and Charles will fund over 280 lifesaving missions for Wales Air Ambulance

Delwyn Lewis, 79, a retired policeman, said: ‘They were inseparable and did everything.

‘They doted on each other as they had no children. He died of a broken heart when she passed away.’

Sion Jones, 39, a neighbour, said Mr Davies had suffered not one but two accidents.

He said: ‘Charles was trapped under the wheels of the tractor for more than an hour.

‘He managed to crawl out and raise the alarm. He told me he thought he was going to die as he was quite badly hurt.

‘But he also had another accident when they came to him as he left the hand brake off his landrover and it rolled onto him.’

He added: ‘Charles farmed right to the end really – he was a nimble, amazing man. But they had to go into a care home in the end. I used to go and visit them.

‘However when Peggy died, he couldn’t cope without her. He just kind of gave up in the end.’

Their friend Merfyn Roberts, the area secretary for the National Framers Union, said: 

Richard Hughes, 72, another neighbour said: ‘Charles was very eccentric and the world’s slowest driver.

‘He would just park his Land Rover wherever he stopped. He wore a bow tie to funerals and a top hat. His sister would also dress. They are badly missed.’

Margaret Davies, also known as Peggy, lived with her brother Charles at the farm they were born and brought up on in Tyn y Wern, Faerdref in Corwen, Denbighshire

Their friend and executor, Merfyn Roberts, said: ‘I remember Charles telling me about his accident and how grateful he was for the fantastic service he had received, but we didn’t know their intentions until after their deaths.

‘It was good to see that Charles and Peggy had both agreed to bequeath most of their estate to the charity – had we known, we would have encouraged them to meet the charity and see how their legacy would help continue to save lives.

‘It was pleasing to hear the legacy is the largest the charity has received, and we hope it may encourage more of our members to also leave a gift.’

Mr Roberts, who is the National Farmers’ Union area secretary, recalled Mr Davies visiting their office with yellow corduroy trousers and a dickie bow. 

He always had a glint in his eye. They both had a distinct style,’ he said. 

‘I’ll never forget visiting Charles and Peggy after they purchased a brand-new state-of-the-art Mercedes, which they allowed the chickens to roost on the top of and make a mess of.

‘Charles liked to think he was a weather expert and always had a theory about the weather and the signs to look out for when the seasons changed. 

‘We didn’t know what he was talking about, but it always used to make us smile.’

The ‘colourful characters’ grew up on the family farm with their parents and six other siblings, Maldwyn, Ivor, Lois, Trebor, Jennie and Wmffre who also had no children.

Charles Tryweryn Davies was known for his love of collecting clocks and Land Rovers

The siblings lived and dedicated their lives to the farm Tyn y Wern, Faerdref in Corwen

The pair helped the local community by driving the school taxi. For many years Charles worked for Denbighshire Council on the highways while Peggy worked at home on the farm. 

Peggy died in November 2019 and Charles four months later after both had spent some time in Cysgod Y Gaer, a local nursing home.

Charles, who was described as a ‘mischievous character’ loved to collect clocks and Land Rovers, whilst Peggy enjoyed competing at the annual Cynwyd and Llandrillo gardening shows. 

Iolo Evans, who was general manager of Corwen Farmers for more than 50 years, said: ‘Charles and Peggy were different and very old fashioned but likeable people.

‘They would come to my office to buy farming supplies and Charles would strike a deal and then nod to Peggy who would pull out a bag of money. 

‘They were quite comical and unique characters. Merfyn and I plan to donate a cup in Peggy’s memory at the gardening show.’

Phae Jones, the ambulance charity’s senior individual giving and legacy manager, said: ‘We are humbled by this incredibly generous donation, making it the largest legacy to have been left to the charity.

‘It is a shame that we never got to meet Charles and Peggy, but it is clear to see from their generosity and from hearing the stories about them, the type of characters they were.’

‘Choosing to include the charity in their Wills is a very special way to be remembered and ensures that Charles and Peggy’s legacy to Wales will live on through the delivery of advanced critical care and saving the lives of others.

‘Their gift will fund over 280 lifesaving missions. That’s over 280 patients and their families whose lives will be impacted by their extraordinary kindness.

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