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.

[3] In October 1901 he joined Ross's Canadian Scouts, an anti-commando outfit previously led by Arthur L. Howard,[2] in which Vaughan reached the rank of captain.

[4] 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.

[5] While in South Africa, Vaughan met and married Katharina Louisa (Katherine Lois) Geere secretly on the banks of the Vaal River near Parys[6] in December 1901.

A fund was raised to provide a memorial for his grave in honour of his Welsh patriotism in St Thomas' Church, Rhyl, Flintshire.