Abergele local news and history, incorporating Abergele in Shorts

Category: people

WWI participants from the outskirts of Abergele

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

This is the second of a series of four posts featuring the research of Andrew Hesketh into participants in the Great War with Abergele connections. As a mark of respect, we’re publishing the thousand-plus list of names in installments.  Today we’re listing those from the outskirts of Abergele. As Andrew Hesketh says: “The ones ‘farther afield’ are a real conundrum. Llanddulas, Rhyd y Foel, Betws yn Rhos, St. George and Towyn were, at the time, effectively regarded as part of the ‘wider’ Abergele. The the pull of the market and the close links between the agricultural communities in particular meant that blokes from as far away as Llanelian and Dolwen (which today are in the gravitational orbit of Colwyn Bay) were, at the time, regarded as part of the wider Abergele community. So was Llanfair TH and Llanefydd, but I decided early on to draw a line there because the ‘pull’ of Denbigh and Llanrwst begins to kick in at those places). I decided therefore, that my research should reflect what was seen and regarded as Abergele and district in 1914, not what it would appear to be in 2014.”

MORRIS,
JOHN

Royal
Garrison Artillery

Bangor

MORRIS,
THOMAS PRITCHARD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Bangor

DAVIES,
THOMAS

Army
Service Corps

Betws
yn Rhos

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

Lancashire
Fusiliers

Betws
yn Rhos

HUGHES,
DAVID

Royal
Garrison Artillery

Betws
yn Rhos

HUGHES,
HENRY

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Betws
yn Rhos

HUGHES,
HUGH

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Betws
yn Rhos

JONES,
OWAIN ap VYCHAN

Labour
Corps

Betws
yn Rhos

LLOYD,
ALBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Betws
yn Rhos

WILLIAMS,
ISAAC

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Betws
yn Rhos

JONES,
THOMAS

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Betws-yn-Rhos

OWEN,
TREVOR

South
Wales Borderers

Betws-yn-Rhos

OWENS,
JOHN

Army
Service Corps

Betws-yn-Rhos

RAWLINSON,
THOMAS JONES

Royal
Engineers

Betws-yn-Rhos

ROBERTS,
ELLIS LLOYD

Machine
Gun Corps

Betws-yn-Rhos

ROBERTS,
ROBERT LLOYD

Welsh

Betws-yn-Rhos

BLACKWELL,
LESLIE GEORGE BENNETT

King’s
(Liverpool)

Colwyn
Bay

DAVIES,
THOMAS

London

Colwyn
Bay

JONES,
EDGAR WILKINSON

York
& Lancaster

Colwyn
Bay

KILBOURNE,
FRANK

North
Stafoordshire

Colwyn
Bay

LARSON,
JOHN

Royal
Navy

Colwyn
Bay

ROBERTS,
WILLIAM

 

Colwyn
Bay

ROBERTS,
WILLIAM

 

Colwyn
Bay

JONES,
WILLIAM PENNANT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Denbigh

JONES,
JOHN OWEN

Welsh

Dolwen

ROWLANDS,
ISAAC REES

Welsh
Guards

Dolwen

ROWLANDS,
J. R.

Welsh
Guards

Dolwen

ROWLANDS,
JOHN

Canadian

Dolwen

WYNNE,
EDWARD HENRY JOHN

Grenadier
Guards

Dolwen

DYSON,
T.

 

Foryd

JONES,
W. CHARLES

 

Foryd

JONES,
DAVID

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Henllan

PATRICK,
WILLIAM JOHN

Somerset
Light Infantry

Kinmel
Bay

BANKS,
ARTHUR CHAPLIN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

BANKS,
CHARLES CHAPLIN

Royal
Flying Corps

Llanddulas

BARTLEY,
HOWELL

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

CADMAN,
CHARLES JOSEPH MC

Royal
Engineers

Llanddulas

CADMAN,
JOHN (LORD CADMAN OF SILVERDALE)

 

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
HENRY

 

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
HUGH (HUGHIE)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
HUMPHREY

Royal
Field Artillery

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
ISAAC

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
JOHN HUGH

Cheshire

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
MOSES

 

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
MOSES J.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
ROBERT O.

 

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
ROBERT PHILLIP

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
THOMAS

Welsh
Guards

Llanddulas

DAVIES,
WILLIAM THOMAS (WILLIE)

Cheshire

Llanddulas

DICKEN,
THOMAS (TOM)

Royal
Air Force

Llanddulas

EVANS,
RICHARD MAURICE

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

EVANS,
WALTER

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

FORMSTON,
THOMAS

Royal
Engineers

Llanddulas

GRAHAM,
THOMAS F.

 

Llanddulas

GRIFFITHS,
RUSSELL

 

Llanddulas

GRIFFITHS,
WILLIAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

HUGHES,
HUGH

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

HUGHES,
RICHARD

Royal
Field Artillery

Llanddulas

JAMES,
JOHN EDWARD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

JONES,
A. BRANSBY

Royal
Army Medical Corps

Llanddulas

JONES,
BERTIE

Royal
Army Medical Corps

Llanddulas

JONES,
DANIEL

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

JONES,
GWILYM GEORGE

South
Wales Borderers

Llanddulas

JONES,
HUGH

Royal
Engineers

Llanddulas

JONES,
LLOYD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

JONES,
ROBERT

Royal
Engineers

Llanddulas

JONES,
ROBERT J.

 

Llanddulas

JONES,
ROBERT JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

JONES,
THOMAS (TOMMY)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

JONES,
WILLIAM

 

Llanddulas

JONES,
WILLIAM

 

Llanddulas

JONES,
WILLIAM C.

Royal
Engineers

Llanddulas

LEWIS,
FRANK

 

Llanddulas

LLOYD,
D

 

Llanddulas

McCOMBE,CHARLES

Mercantile
Marine

Llanddulas

MORRIS,
JOHN

 

Llanddulas

MORRIS
WILLIAM

Welsh

Llanddulas

POWELL,
JOHN

Manchester

Llanddulas

POWELL,
LLEWELYN

 

Llanddulas

ROBERTS,
ARTHUR

 

Llanddulas

ROBERTS,
GEORGE

 

Llanddulas

ROBERTS,
WILLIAM (WILL)

Royal
Navy Volunteer Reserve

Llanddulas

ROBERTS,
WILLIAM (WILLIE)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

THOMAS

 

Llanddulas

THOMAS,
DAVID

 

Llanddulas

THOMAS,
RICHARD

 

Llanddulas

TURNER,
FREDERICK HARDING

Liverpool

Llanddulas

TURNER,
WILLIAM

Liverpool

Llanddulas

VALENTINE,
MOSES IDWAL MM OBE

Royal
Field Artillery

Llanddulas

VAUGHAN,
EDWIN

 

Llanddulas

VAUGHAN,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

VAUGHAN,
JOHN H.

 

Llanddulas

VAUGHAN,
ROBERT

 

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
DAN [DANIEL]

Cheshire

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
DAVID LEWIS

Army
Service Corps

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
HUMPHREY

Royal
Field Artillery

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
JOHN J.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
JOHN

 

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
L

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
SAMUEL

 

Llanddulas

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS H.

 

Llanddulas

WYNNE-JONES,
EDWARD IRVINE

Welsh

Llanddulas

JONES,
HUGH

 

Llandulas

VAUGHAN,
JOHN HENRY

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanefydd

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanefydd

BORTHWICK,
FRANCIS HENRY DSO & Bar

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanelian

LLOYD,
LLEWELYN

 

Llanelian

OWEN,
CYRIL POWNALL

Machine
Gun Corps

Llanelian

DAVIES,
ROBERT WILLIAM

 

Llanfair
Talhaiarn

JONES,
MAURICE ROBERT

Army
Service Corps

Llanfair
Talhaiarn

JONES,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanfair
Talhaiarn

GRIFFITH,
TREVOR LLEWELYN

Royal
Field Artillery

Llanfair
TH

PARRY,
DANIEL

Labour
Corps

Llanfair
TH

PIERCE,
EDWARD JONES

 

Llanfair
TH

JONES,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llanfairfechan

JONES,
DAVID

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llangernyw

JONES,
HERBERT C. TREVOR

Royal
Army Medical Corps

Llangernyw?

WILLIAMS,
WILLIAM

 

Llannduals

ROBERTS,
JOHN

Welsh

Llanrwst

DAVIES,
GEORGE MILLWARD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llansannan

EVANS,
EMRYS

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llysfaen

JONES,
JOHN PETER

 

Llysfaen

LEWIS,
JOSEPH

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Llysfaen

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

South
Lancashire

Moelfre

HUGHES,
EDWARD (TED)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Moelfre

HUGHES,
WILLIAM EVAN (WILL)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Moelfre

JONES,
THOMAS R. (TOM)

South
Wales Borderers

Moelfre

MORGAN,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Moelfre

MORGAN,
WILLIAM

 

Moelfre

ROBERTS,
ROBERT

Royal
Field Artillery

Moelfre

WILLIAMS,
LLEWELYN (LLEW)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Moelfre

WILLIAMS,
ROBERT TREVOR

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Moelfre

WILLAMS,
J. DAVID

 

Morfa
Rhuddlan

BOOTH,
FRANK

Army
Veterinary Corps

Old
Colwyn

AUSTIN,
ALFRED JAMES (ALF)

Royal
Air Force

Pensarn

AUSTIN,
FREDERIC (FRED)

Royal
Flying Corps

Pensarn

AUSTIN,
THOMAS HENRY

South
Wales Borderers

Pensarn

AUSTIN,
WILLIAM EDWARD (TED)

Machine
Gun Corps

Pensarn

BLUNDELL,
JOHN R.

 

Pensarn

CARTWRIGHT,
CHARLES C.

Royal
Navy Volunteer Reserve

Pensarn

CLEWS,
ARTHUR RICHARD

 

Pensarn

COMBE,
JAMES PATRICK CAMPBELL

Royal
Engineers

Pensarn

DAVIES,
HAROLD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Pensarn

DAVIES,
HERBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Pensarn

DAVIES,
J. R. PERCIVAL

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Pensarn

DAVIES,
JOHN R.

Royal
Garrison Artillery

Pensarn

DAVIES,
T

Royal
Army Medical Corps

Pensarn

DAVIES,
THOMAS OWEN

Royal
Field Artillery

Pensarn

DAVIES,
WILLIAM HAROLD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Pensarn

EARWAKER,
RALPH PARSON O.B.E.

Army
Service Corps

Pensarn

EDWARDS,
WILLIAM

 

Pensarn

EVANS,
D. R.

 

Pensarn

EVANS,
JOHN JAMES

 

Pensarn

FRASER,
ALEC

Australian
Army

Pensarn

FRASER,
JAMES CHARTERIS

Royal
Defence Corps

Pensarn

GRIFFITHS,
LLEWELYN PRITCHARD

 

Pensarn

HEAD,
JOHN HENRY

 

Pensarn

HOPKINS,
TOM [THOMAS] J.

Army
Service Corps

Pensarn

HOYLE,
J. C

Cheshire

Pensarn

HUGHES,
CECIL AUGUSTUS

 

Pensarn

HUGHES,
RICHARD DAVID

Welsh
Guards

Pensarn

JACOB,
HAROLD

Royal
Navy

Pensarn

JACOB,
SIDNEY SQUIRE (SID)

King’s
(Liverpool)

Pensarn

JONES,
ARVON

 

Pensarn

JONES,
BENUEL

Denbighshire
Yeomanry

Pensarn

JONES,
EDWARD

Royal
Engineers

Pensarn

JONES,
JOHN HUGH

Royal
Navy

Pensarn

JONES,
JOSEPH PENIEL

 

Pensarn

JONES,
LYNCH

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Pensarn

JONES,
ROBERT

 

Pensarn

JONES,
TREVOR

Royal
Field Artillery

Pensarn

LEIGHTON,
HERBERT

Welsh

Pensarn

LEWIS,
RICHARD

Royal
Garrison Artillery

Pensarn

MacDONALD,
CHARLES

Royal
Engineers

Pensarn

PARRY,
SAMUEL

 

Pensarn

ROBERTS,
JOHN R.

York
& Lancaster

Pensarn

ROBERTS,
JOSEPH BROWN

Royal
Garrison Artillery

Pensarn

ROWLANDS,
GWENNIE

 

Pensarn

SMITH

 

Pensarn

THOMAS,
JOHN HENRY

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Pensarn

TURVY,
FRANCIS HUGH

 

Pensarn

WHEWAY,
W.

Royal
Field Artillery

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
EDMUND GOODMAN

East
Lancashire

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
HAYDN

Royal
Navy

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
HORATIO

King’s
Royal Rifle Corps

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
JOHN GOODMAN

Royal
Engineers

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
ROBERT EDWIN

 

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS

Royal
Navy

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS

 

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS (TOM)

Royal
Engineers

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS EVAN

 

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
VINCENT

 

Pensarn

WILLIAMS,
WILLIAM

 

Pensarn

WYKEHAM-MUSGRAVE,
WENMAN HUMPHREY

Royal
Navy

Pensarn

OWEN,
JOSEPH HEBER

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Prestatyn

JACKSON,
ELIAS

 

Rhyd
y Foel

JONES,
PERCY

South
African Army

Rhyd
y Foel

JONES,
THOMAS

 

Rhyd
y Foel

JONES,
WILLIAM

 

Rhyd
y Foel

WILLIAMS,
JOHN

Royal
Fusiliers

Rhyd
y Foel

WILLIAMS,
PETER

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Rhyd
y Foel

WILLIAMS,
ROBERT DAVID

Royal
Field Artillery

Rhyd
y Foel (?)

THOMAS,
JOSEPH H.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
Asaph

BECKETT,
FRANK SYDNEY

Sherwood
Foresters

St.
George

BRADLEY,
ARTHUR M.

Royal
Engineers

St.
George

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

 

St.
George

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

 

St. George

DAVIS,
THOMAS

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

EDWARDS,
FREDERICK (FRED)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

EVANS,
ARTHUR M. GRAHAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

EVANS,
DAVID GRAHAM

Chaplain
Forces

St.
George

EVANS,
FRANK [FRANCIS] GRAHAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

EVANS,
STANLEY GRAHAM

Machine
Gun Corps

St.
George

EVANS,
STIRLING GRAHAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

GILCHRIST,
WILLIAM

Duke
of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

St.
George

HOLMES,
ALBERT

South
Staffordshire

St.
George

HUGHES,
DAVID

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

HUGHES,
H. B. L.

 

St.
George

HUGHES,
JAMES DEVINE

Royal
Engineers

St.
George

HUGHES,
WALTER

 

St.
George

JONES,
WILLIAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

St.
George

LEDSHAM,
LESLIE

Labour
Corps

St.
George

OWEN,
FRANCIS

 

St.
George

OWEN,
FRANK

Australian
Army

St.
George

SALISBURY,
EDWARD DAVID

Royal
Army Medical Corps

St.
George

BARTLEY,
W. S.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

ELLIS,
JOHN DAVID

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

GERRARD,
JOHN

Loyal North Lancashire

Towyn

HUGHES,
DANIEL

 

Towyn

HUGHES,
ISAAC

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

HUGHES,
JOHN

 

Towyn

HUGHES,
JOHN FFOULKES

South
Wales Borderers

Towyn

HUGHES,
THOMAS

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

HUGHES,
TOM

 

Towyn

HUGHES,
WILLIAM

 

Towyn

HUGHES,
WILLIAM HENRY

Labour
Corps

Towyn

JONES,
WILLIAM GEORGE

Northumberland
Fusiliers

Towyn

MOSLEY,
WILLIAM ARTHUR

 

Towyn

OWEN,
EDWARD

 

Towyn

ROBERTS,
E

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

ROBERTS,
JOHN

Somerset
Light Infantry

Towyn

ROBERTS,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

ROBERTS,
JOHN OWEN

South
Wales Borderers

Towyn

ROBERTS,
JOHN OWEN

 

Towyn

ROBERTS,
T. H.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

ROBERTS,
THOMAS

 

Towyn

SHEPHERD,
A.

 

Towyn

TODD

Lancashire
Fusiliers

Towyn

WILLIAMS,
DAVID

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

WILLIAMS,
PETER

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Towyn

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS

 

Towyn

WINKUP,
ARTHUR

Royal
Field Artillery

Towyn

ELLIS,
HUGH LODWICK MALDWYN (HUGHIE)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

Ysceifiog

ADAMS,
GLYNNE

RNVR

 

BEDFORD,
HENRY

Abergele
and District Civilian Guard

 

BELL,
ROBERT

 

 

BEVAN

 

 

BIRTWISTLE,
DAN

 

 

BLAKEMORE,
CHARLES EDWARD

Royal
Navy

 

BLAKEMORE,
W.

Abergele
and District Civilian Guard

 

BOOTH,
RICHARD

Welsh

 

BROOKES

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

CHESTERS,
CECIL

Royal
Naval Air Service

 

COLLINSON,
JOHN HENRY

Royal
Engineers

 

DARLINGTON,
CHARLIE

Royal
Flying Corps

 

DARLINGTON,
HARRY

Royal
Flying Corps

 

DARLINGTON,
WALTER

Royal
Engineers

 

DAVIES

Abergele
Military Police

 

DAVIES,
ALLEN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
ARTHUR

 

 

DAVIES,
DAVID

Labour
Corps

 

DAVIES,
EVAN M.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
H. J.

Royal
Flying Corps

 

DAVIES,
H. T. (HUGH THOMAS?)

 

 

DAVIES,
HUGH

Royal
Engineers

 

DAVIES,
J. P. R.

 

 

DAVIES
JOHN

 

 

DAVIES,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
JOHN

Royal
Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
JOHN (JACK)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
JOHN ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
JOHN ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
LLEW

 

 

DAVIES,
PERCY

Army
Service Corps

 

DAVIES,
R

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

DAVIES,
ROBERT JONES

Machine
Gun Corps

 

DAVIES,
ROBERT JONES

Royal
Field Artillery

 

DAVIES,
THOMAS OWEN

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

DAVIES,
TOM

 

 

DAVIES,
W

 

 

DAVIES,
WILL (WILLIAM)

South
Wales Borderers

 

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

Royal
Field Artillery

 

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

Army
Service Corps

 

DICKINS,
ARTHUR GEORGE

Royal
Engineers

 

DOBBINS,
FRANCIS LEO

Denbighshire
Yeomanry

 

EDWARDS,
ARCHIBALD (ARCHIE)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

EDWARDS,
HOWEL

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

EDWARDS,
JOHN

Royal
Military Police

 

EDWARDS,
WILFRED

 

 

EDWARDS,
WILLIAM

Labour
Corps

 

EDWARDS,
WYNN

Royal
Field Artillery

 

EDWARDS.
JACK [JOHN]

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

EVANS

 

 

EVANS,
ARNOLD

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

EVANS,
B

 

 

EVANS,
B

 

 

EVANS,
ERIC M.

Welsh

 

EVANS,
J. O.

Royal
Engineers

 

EVANS,
J. T.

 

 

EVANS,
J. W.

Machine
Gun Corps

 

EVANS,
JOHN

 

 

EVANS,
JOHN [JACK]

Royal
Field Artillery

 

EVANS,
LLEWELYN

 

 

EVANS,
ROBERT ARTHUR

Mercantile
Marine

 

EVANS,
TED

 

 

EVANS-HUGHES,
ERIC H.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

FITTON,
HARRY

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

FLAVIN,
MICHAEL MC

Welsh

 

FLEET,
E. H.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

GRAY,
ARNOLD

 

 

GREENHALGH

 

 

GRIFFITHS,
JAMES

Army
Service Corps

 

GRIFFITHS,
W.

Machine
Gun Corps

 

HALLIDAY,
THOMAS E.

Army
Service Corps

 

HANNAH,
MABEL TEMPLETON

Queen
Alexandria’s Imperial Military Nursing Service

 

HARRISON,
J.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HAWKYARD,
A. M.

 

 

HEATH,
J. A.

 

 

HEATH,
JOE G.

Training
Reserve

 

HIBBINS,
H

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HIGGIN,
WILLIAM HENRY HARTLEY

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HIGGINS

South
Wales Borderers

 

HUGHES

General
Service

 

HUGHES,
(?). H

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HUGHES,
ALBERT

Army
Service Corps

 

HUGHES,
CHARLES

Rifle
Brigade

 

HUGHES,
DAN

Royal
Garrison Artillery

 

HUGHES,
H

 

 

HUGHES,
H. O. Dr.

 

 

HUGHES,
JAMES

Army
Service Corps

 

HUGHES,
JOHN

 

 

HUGHES,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HUGHES,
JOHN

Army
Veterinary Corps

 

HUGHES,
JOHN

Labour
Corps

 

HUGHES,
LEVI

Royal
Defence Corps

 

HUGHES,
R

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HUGHES,
SAMUEL

Labour
Corps

 

HUGHES,
THOMAS FFOULKES

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

HUGHES,
THOMAS S.

Army
Service Corps

 

HUMPHREY-ROBERTS,
DAVID

 

 

HUMPHREYS,
E. W.

 

 

JOHNSON,
STANLEY

 

 

JONES,
ALBERT E.

Royal
Field Artillery

 

JONES,
ALFRED

 

 

JONES,
ARTHUR

 

 

JONES,
C. T.

 

 

JONES,
CHARLES

Abergele
& District Civilian Guard

 

JONES,
DYFRIG

Royal
Naval Division

 

JONES,
ED

Royal
Engineers

 

JONES,
FRANCIS

Welsh
Guards

 

JONES,
FRANK

 

 

JONES,
FREDERICK WILLIAM

Welsh

 

JONES,
G. MORGAN

 

 

JONES,
GLYN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
GLYNNE

Army
Service Corps

 

JONES,
HARRY (ALIAS ROBERTS, HARRY)

 

 

JONES,
ISAAC

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
J. D. M

Royal
Navy

 

JONES,
JIM [JAMES]

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
JOHN

Royal
Field Artillery

 

JONES,
JOHN E.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
JOHN JAMES

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
JOHN OWEN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
JOSHUA

Abergele
& District Civilian Guard

 

JONES,
JOSHUA

 

 

JONES,
R. H.

Army
Service Corps

 

JONES,
R. H.

 

 

JONES,
R. PARRY

 

 

JONES,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

JONES,
STEWART KIRBY

Royal
Field Artillerry

 

JONES,
T. G.

Admiralty
Wireless Station

 

JONES,
W

Royal
Flying Corps

 

JONES,
W. E

Welsh

 

JONES,
W. HUMPHREYS

Abergele
and District Civilian Guard

 

JONES,
W. Ll.

Royal
Naval Air Service

 

JONES,
WILLIAM JAMES

South
Wales Borderers

 

JONES,
WILLIAM R.

Royal
Army Ordnance Corps

 

LAMB,
HARRY

Grenadier
Guards

 

LEWIS,
THOMAS

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

LLOYD,
JOHN ALUN (a.k.a ALLAN)

Welsh

 

LLOYD,
TOM [THOMAS]

Training
Reserve

 

LUKE,
RICHARD (DICK)

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

MACDONALD

 

 

MACKENZIE,
A. A

Royal
Engineers

 

MATHEWS,
HAROLD

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

McDONALD,
J. O.

Army
Service Corps

 

MILLWARD,
H. H.

Royal
Navy

 

MILLWARD,
H. T.

 

 

MILLWARD,
J. T

Royal
Field Artillery

 

MOORE,
J

 

 

MOSS,
DAVID J.

 

 

MYDDLETON,
CHARLES

Royal
Naval Air Service

 

NEEDHAM,
R. M.

Royal
Marines

 

NUTTALL,
FRANK

Dragoon
Guards

 

OWEN,
DAVID

Army
Service Corps

 

OWEN,
E.

 

 

OWEN,
EDWARD

 

 

OWEN,
JOHN

 

 

OWEN,
ROBERT

Abergele
& District Civilian Guard

 

OWEN,
ROBERT

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

OWEN,
ROBERT JAMES

Royal
Garrison Artillery

 

OWEN,
W. C.

Royal
Engineers

 

OWENS,
JOHN

Tank
Corps

 

PARKS,
EDWARD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

PARRY,
E.

Royal
Defence Corps

 

PARRY,
EDWARD E.

Royal
Field Artillery

 

PARRY,
J

Manchester

 

PARRY,
JOHN

 

 

PEACOCK,
DAVID

 

 

PHILLIPS,
JOHN

 

 

PHILLIPS,
TUDOR OWEN M.C.

South
Wales Borderers

 

PIERSON,
GUY KENYON

Royal
Fusiliers

 

PRICE,
T. W.

Abergele
& District Civilian Guard

 

RATCLIFFE

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
B

Royal
Field Artillery

 

ROBERTS,
DAVID

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
E

Royal
Field Artillery

 

ROBERTS,
E. I.

Royal
Navy Volunteer Reserve

 

ROBERTS,
EDWARD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
FRED

 

 

ROBERTS,
HARRY

Welsh

 

ROBERTS,
HENRY OSWALD

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

ROBERTS,
HERBERT

Machine
Gun Corps

 

ROBERTS,
HUGH

Welsh

 

ROBERTS,
J. EDWARD

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
J. Ll. J

 

 

ROBERTS,
JOHN J. B.

Labour
Corps

 

ROBERTS,
LLEWELYN

Machine
Gun Corps

 

ROBERTS,
R. T.

Dragoon
Guards

 

ROBERTS,
RICHARD

Rifle
Brigade

 

ROBERTS,
RICHARD E.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
ROBERT

Abergele
& District Civilian Guard

 

ROBERTS,
ROBERT

Mercantile
Marine

 

ROBERTS,
ROBERT MEREDITH

Royal
Field Artillery

 

ROBERTS,
SAMUEL

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
THOMAS

Royal
Engineers

 

ROBERTS,
THOMAS OWEN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

ROBERTS,
WALTER

 

 

ROBERTS,
WILLIAM HENRY

Machine
Gun Corps

 

ROBINSON,
OSWALD

Royal
Navy Volunteer Reserve

 

ROWLANDS,
E

Welsh

 

SIMONS,
EDWARD

Army
Service Corps

 

SMITH,
GEORGE

 

 

STOKES,
C

Royal
Engineers

 

TAYLOR,
ALBERT

Mercantile
Marine

 

TAYLOR,
JOHN G.

Royal
Field Artillery

 

THOMAS,
HARRY E.

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

THOMAS,
R. A.

 

 

THOMAS,
WILLIAM

Royal
Garrison Artillery

 

TWITTY,
GEORGE

Grenadier
Guards

 

UNKNOWN
SAILOR

 

 

VAUGHAN

South
Wales Borderers

 

VAUGHAN,
GLYN

 

 

WADDINGTON,
E. R.

Abergele
& District Civilian Guard

 

WATSON,
CHARLES

Army
Service Corps

 

WELLS,
JOHN

Cheshire

 

WHITELEY,
W. A.

Royal
Engineers

 

WHITLEY,
T. J.

Army
Service Corps

 

WHITLEY,
THOMAS

 

 

WILLIAMS,
D.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
DANIEL

 

 

WILLIAMS,
DAVID

 

 

WILLIAMS,
EDWARD

Abergele
and District Civilian Guard

 

WILLIAMS,
EDWARD

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
EDWARD R. FFOULKES

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
ERNEST H.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
EVAN

Royal
Berkshire

 

WILLIAMS,
FRED

 

 

WILLIAMS,
FREDERICK

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
G. T.

Welsh

 

WILLIAMS,
GEORGE

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
HAROLD

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

WILLIAMS,
HAROLD C.

Royal
Field Artillery

 

WILLIAMS,
HYWEL P.

 

 

WILLIAMS,
IVOR

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
J. D.

Machine
Gun Corps

 

WILLIAMS,
JAMES

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
JAMES WOOD

Royal
Army Medical Corps

 

WILLIAMS,
JOHN

Cheshire

 

WILLIAMS,
JOHN

City
of London Yeomanry

 

WILLIAMS,
JOHN

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
JOHN R.

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
LLEWELYN

King’s
(Liverpool)

 

WILLIAMS,
OWEN BENJAMIN

Welsh
Guards

 

WILLIAMS,
R. E.

South
Lancashire

 

WILLIAMS,
R. G.

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
ROBERT

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
S. T. O.

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
SAM

 

 

WILLIAMS,
T

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
T. C.

 

 

WILLIAMS,
T. E.

 

 

WILLIAMS,
TEDDY

 

 

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS (TOM)

Royal
Engineers

 

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS (TOM)

Royal
Navy

 

WILLIAMS,
THOMAS CHARLES

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
WILLIAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WILLIAMS,
WILLIAM

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WOODHOUSE

 

 

WORTHINGTON,
WILLIAM ERNEST

Royal
Welsh Fusiliers

 

WWI participants from further afield with an Abergele connection

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

“One Abergele man is commemorated in a small town in Australia and another in Utica, New York, USA,” says Abergele WWI researcher Andrew Hesketh.

Finishing up on the 100th anniversary of the start of War on 28 July, AbergelePost is serialising Andrew’s list in this year which marks the Centenary of the beginning of the Great War.

Here are the people with Abergele connections from outside Wales and even further afield.

Name

Regiment*

Location

OWEN,
JOSEPH

King’s Own (Shropshire Light Infantry)

Acton Pigott,
Salop

AMOS,
HARRY OSWALD

 

Australia

EVANS, DAVID SAXON WALTON

Australian Army

Australia

EVANS,
HERBERT WYNN WALTON

Australian Army

Australia

GILCHRIST,
ALBERT ALEXANDER

Australian Army

Australia

DAVIES,
HUGH

Labour Corps

Battersea

EDWARDS,
JOHN RAYMOND

Canadian Army

Canada

EDWARDS,
WILLIAM GORDON

Canadian Army

Canada

JONES,
FRANK MARSINGALE

Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Duffield

LOCKETT,
ERNEST

Worcestershire

King’s Norton, Worcestershire

KERSHAW,
ROBERT

Lancashire Fusiliers

Liverpool

WILLIAMS,
ISAAC

Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Liverpool

OWEN,
ROBERT

Australian Army

Moora, Western Australia

JONES,
EDWARD THOMAS

Royal Engineers

New
Broughton

PARRY,
EDWARD EVANS (TED)

Australian Army

Perth, Australia

WYNNE,
CAREY

Royal Army
Medical Corps

Pleck, Walsall

HILL,
GORDON GRAY

Singapore Volunteer Rifles

Singapore

RIDGE,
EVERARD VAUGHAN

Machine Gun Corps

Surrey

PROCTOR,
FREDERICK WILLIAM

Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Torquay

DAVIES,
WILLIAM

US Army

USA

DAVIES,
WILLIAM HENRY

Machine Gun Corps

West Kirby

BAKER,
ALFRED (ALF)

King’s (Liverpool)

 

BORTHWICK,
ALEXANDER MUSGRAVE

Royal Scots

 

BRADLEY,
W. E.

Royal Warwickshire

 

CLOUGH,
FREDERICK NORMAN

Manchester

 

COOKE,
WILLIAM GEORGE

The Prince
of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire)

 

DAVIES,
JOHN

Cheshire

 

DAVIES, R.
IDWAL

London

 

DAVIES,
ROBERT

King’s (Liverpool)

 

EVANS,
JOHN J.

Manchester

 

EVANS,
SHÔN

Australian Army

 

FALLON

Irish Hussars

 

GRIFFITH,
M.K

Gordon Highlanders

 

GRIFFITHS,
JOHN

Lancashire Fusiliers

 

GUNTER,
FREDERICK WILLIAM

Lancashire Fusiliers

 

HUGHES,
JAMES

King’s (Liverpool)

 

HUGHES,
WILLIAM

Border

 

JONES, A

Manchester

 

JONES,
DAVID

Lancashire Fusiliers

 

JONES,
FRED

King’s (Liverpool)

 

JONES,
GEORGE FREDERICK

King’s (Liverpool)

 

JONES, J.
E

Canadian Army

 

JONES,
THOMAS ABEL

US Army

 

JONES,
WILLIAM THOMAS

King’s (Liverpool)

 

LINEKAR,  FRANCIS RUBENSTEIN

Liverpool

 

LLOYD,
HENRY

Cheshire Yeomanry

 

LYNE,
REGINALD MELVILLE

South African Army

 

M?, HARRY

Manchester

 

MILLS,
THOMAS REGINALD

King’s (Liverpool)

 

NEEDHAM,
THOMAS VAUGHAN

Manchester

 

OWEN, R. E

Cheshire

 

OWEN,
THOMAS

Australian Army

 

RINDER,
LLEWELYN TRELEAVEN

York &
Lancaster

 

ROBERTS,
CHARLES CECIL GWYNEDD

London

 

ROBERTS,
W. E.

Manchester

 

ROBERTS,
W. H.

Cheshire

 

SMALE,
ARTHUR

Lancashire Hussars

 

SMITH,
ALEXANDER

Black Watch

 

STACEY,
ERNEST GEORGE HEWLETT

Australian Army

 

STURGESS,
EDWARD

Gordon Highlanders

 

N.B. Andrew Hesketh says that the Regiment column usually shows the last known regiment of the 1914-1919 period. When the principal experience of a man has been with a former regiment, this is shown instead.

The next installment will list participants from Abergele’s outskirts, from Pensarn to Llanddulas and from Dolwen to Moelfre.

Abergele and the Great War

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

During 2014, we’re commemorating the Centenary of the beginning of World War I in 1914.

For the past seven years Andrew Hesketh has been researching the role played in the Great War by the people of Abergele.

As a mark of respect to those who participated in  WWI, AbergelePost.com is publishing the names of the participants in installments, along with where they’re from and their regiment where known.

We can do this with special thanks to Andrew Hesketh for sharing his research. Andrew describes how he came to do this and  writes:

“I have been researching the men and women of Abergele & district who participated in the  Great War 1914-1918 since c.2007. My ‘list’ of participants now well exceeds 1,000 and this is backed up by plenty of archival and research information, as well as visits to certain battlefields.

“About three or four years ago I read in the local press that the Council were planning towards the centenary of 2014, and that a central pillar of their plan would be based around potentially adding ‘missing’ names to memorial at St. Michael’s.”

Andrew sees his work as an organic project:

“Would any readers be able to add any information, trivial or otherwise, to my research into local men and women of the Great War period? I would be particularly pleased to see photographs of local men who participated. I am also struggling to match up some war-era addresses with their actual location in Abergele! Naturally I would share, in return, any information I have collected.”

We’ll be publishing Andrew’s list – split up into four installments – over the coming weeks, and timing the final installment to go live on the morning exactly 100 years after the Great War began on 28 July 1914.

AbergelePost has been working with Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan on a multi-media project which will aim to pay special tribute to those who took part in the War. More news about that over the coming weeks.

 

 

Sam Kelly’s Abergele connection

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

The actor Sam Kelly (Porridge, ‘Allo ‘Allo!, On the Up, Barbara, etc) sadly died on 14 June 2014. Not many people will be aware of his Abergele connection. His mother Mary and father Fred (who died many years before Mary) lived in Abergele in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Some readers may remember Mary Kelly.

Sam’s real name was Roger Kelly and he came back to Abergele during filming breaks to see his folks. Because my mother had been a childhood friend of Roger’s when she grew up in Peel Green, near Manchester, and later in Conwy, we’d see Roger in Abergele quite often.

It was with sadness that I heard of his passing and he’s sure to be fondly remembered.

Sam Kelly as Bunny Warren. Probably BBC Copyright.

Novella about growing up in Abergele free to download for Kindle for a few days

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

I’ve written here before about Abergele author Rob Burslem.  He’s perhaps best known for his books set in Africa (Murdoch’s Africa). I’ve just heard that his Abergele novella Three Pomegranates and a Half Bottle of Scotch has been made available for free download by Amazon for a few days as a Kindle edition.

If you’re reading this article after about mid May 2014, you’re probably too late to get it for free, but the novella’s been well reviewed on the store, so it’s worth a look.  Reviewer Paul writes: “This was an excellent read. I couldn’t help but have empathy with Kevin’s plight. The conversational style felt really authentic. As the story progressed I couldn’t put the book down. I actually chocked when I read the author’s note at the end.”

 

St Davids Day – let’s party like it’s 1909

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

I’m a fan of the National Library of Wales’s Welsh Newspapers Online site. Here’s a clipping from the Weekly News, 5 March 1909, describing St David’s Day celebrations at the Bee Hotel, Abergele, in that year.

copyright National Library of Wales reprinted under their open license
Copyright National Library of Wales. Reprinted under their open license

ABERGELE. St. David’s Day was celebrated in Abergele with a dinner at the Bee Hotel, and a coffee supper, followed by a concert, at the spacious Wesleyan schoolroom, the latter being held by members of the Ship Cafe.

Both events went off splendidly. The meeting at the Wesleyan schoolroom was presided over by Mr. J. R. Ellis, I when the programme was sustained by Mr. G. T. Morgan, Mir. T. Derbyshire Roberts, Misses Harrison, Miss Katie Jones, M’aster Harold Cybi Williams, Miss Lizzie Davies, Master John Millward, and Mr. Ben Cybi Williams.

The only toast submitted to the meeting was “Dewi Sant,” proposed by Mr. J. R. Ellis, and elaborated upon by the Rev. Morgan’ Davies., who was in grand form. He declared that St. David. ‘kindled such a fire of patriotism in Wales that time can never extinguish. (Applause!.)

On the motion of Mr. J. Williams, M.A., seconded by Mr. Edward Ellis, the thanks of the meeting was accorded ‘o all those who had contributed towards the success of the gathering. Mr. R. E. Needham enlivened the proceedings with several, gramaphone selections.

AT THE BEE HOTEL. St. David’s Day has been. celebrated at the Bee Hotel for many years. As usual, there was a large and distinguished company present at this year’s function. The catering of Mr. and Mrs. Featherstone was Ai. ‘Mr. G. H. Judson bad the honour of being president, whilst Mr. S. B. Rogers occupied the vice-chair. Amongst others present we’re Messrs’. E. A. Crabbe. T. Hannah, J.P., J. Gill, E. W. Brtdley, Kinmel; J. Calvert, W. Jones, Chapel Street; W. Chesters, D. W. Vau.gh.an., J. Williams, Harp Hotel; D. Williams, Kinmel Arms; Humphrey Williams, Valentine Hotel, Llanddulas; W. J. Parry, London House; J. Pierce, Victoria House; Richard Jones, Pentre Ucha’ E. Wo’n’a.ll, Cambrian Hotel; G. Perkins, Elias Evans, Pensarn; E. W. Harrop, J. Edwa.rd=, T’anyfron; D. Wil- liama, Ty lgwyn,; W. BTiothetrtoQ, E. W. Parry, Rihyl; and F. Hajdon, Rhyl. The toast list was as foHow.s:—”The King,” by the President; The Queen, the Prince and PfTMicesa of Wales, and the Rest of the Royal Family,” by the Ptresident; The Navy, Army, and Territorial Forces,” proposed by Mr. CraLbe, and responded to by Mr. J. Gill; To the Im- mortal Memory of St. David,” proposed by M’r. S. B. Rogers; The Town and Trade of Abergele,” proposed by Mr. J. Edwards, Tanyfron; The Farming Industry,” proposed by Mr. J. Pierce, and responded to by Mr. D. Williams, Ty Gwyn; “The Host and Hostess,” proposed by Mr. G. Perkins, Mr. Featherstone responding.

Songs were sung by Mir. Bradley, Messrs. Johnson and Foye, Manchester, Mr. Hanlo.n, Rhyl, and Mr. D. W. V.au;ghan. Mir. Crabbe said the British Navy waa every .ready to, respond tOl the call of duty. The Army,, though at the present moment in a transient stae, was ready for every emergency if necessity arose. Aided by the Daily Mail,” the Terri- torital Force in London had attained its required strength, and he sincerely trusted that the other parts of the country would follow the example set before, them by the capital of the Empire. If the Territorial Force failed, then there would only be one, alternative—namely, conscription, and that would mean a national calamity.

In responding, Mr. Gill said the Territorial scheme was the last effort—the last kic’k—to avoid that deplorable system of conscription. .Even now, the Territorial Force was three times the value of the old Volunteers. Mr. ludson. in resDondin? to’ the toast of his health, said that since he had been a member of the Council he had done his best for all con- canned.

Something had been said about his fo.rthcorning marriage. (Applause.) Well, he might as well let the, secret out by saying that he was to. be married on the grd of June. (Loud .applause.)’ Mr. Perkins, in pro.po.sing the health of the host and hostess, said everyone present would feel sorry at My. Featherstone’s departure from Abergele. ..Mr. Fea.the.rs.tone, in responding, said he was sorry to, leave Abergels, but he was saddled with a house at Colwyn, Bay. The meeting broke up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and God Save the King.” SEARCHLIGHT.

———————————-

Back to today now: as you can see, the optical character recognition isn’t perfect, but it’s quite good. So you’ll notice the typos above.

Interesting to note the military discussions which foreshadowed the beginning of WWI.

 

 

Song about Moelfre

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

Moelfre Isaf, o Bryn Twr

Moelfre Isaf through the south door of the tower of Tower Hill. Photo copyright Huw Waters.

Musician John Meed has been in touch with us to tell the story of his song Moelfre Hill. John wrote the song shortly after playing a concert at Mynydd Seion chapel in Abergele. You can read John’s story as you listen to his song:

 

 

John Meed writes:

“In July 2011 I was invited to join the French choir Ensemble pour Boala in a concert in the Mynydd Seion Chapel in Abergele in North Wales. The concert also featured local choir Coastal voices.
We got together to rehearse over the days preceding the concert in a farmhouse in the hills a few miles inland from Abergele. Isabelle and I stayed nearby in a little hut half way up Moelfre Hill – there was no water or electricity, plenty of night-time visitors, and it took a half mile walk to get there, but the view out across the valley in the morning was remarkable.

“I knew vaguely that there was some connection between the family of my best friend, Dave, and the area, so I had mentioned the concert to his widow and sister who came over and brought his mother to the concert. The following morning, as rain hurtled down, we met them for breakfast in a café on Abergele high street. Dave’s sister asked me to show her on the map exactly where we had been staying.

“It turned out that their family had been tenant sheep farmers of the land around our hut for generations. What is more, a white farmhouse that we could see from our hillside vantage point was the place where they had spent their summer holidays as children. And when I had phoned to give them final details of the concert, I had been leaning on a gate looking towards this farmhouse, on the fifth anniversary of his death.

“On the way home down the M6 we stopped at a service station and I jotted down the beginnings of what was to become the song, Moelfre Hill. The recording features Cliff Ward from The Willows on violin, and Brian Harvey on bass.”

The Old Pubs, Inns and Taverns of Abergele in the 1800’s

Posted on by Nigel Hilton

In replying to a query posed by Gareth regarding the Sun Inn (see Market Street topic), he suggested that I start a new post on the subject of the old pubs in the town, so here goes.

We are fortunate in that Charles Jones (1843-1916) kept detailed diaries between 1861-1914 which has allowed us to follow those changes which took place in the town during that period. Ellis Wynne Williams (EWW) in his book ‘Abergele, the Story of a Parish’ makes use of those diaries and other sources, so it is thanks to them that we have the following information:

EWW makes reference to the Rate Book of 1859 which lists 14 taverns etc., whilst an 1862 Plan of Abergele (see below) shows 16 Hotels & Inns. Those in the Rate Book (annual rental shown in brackets) were The Gwindy (£15), Ship (£16), Mona Vaults (£12), Bull (£20), George & Dragon (£7), Royal Oak (£16), Cross Keys (£16), Harp (£18), Swan (£14), Kings Head (£10), Crown (£18), Nelson (£34), Castle (£18) and lastly, The Bee (£184). The last two are the Penybont and the Bodelwyddan Arms (Hesketh) which I will deal with first.

Abergele Town Plan 1862

The Penybont was originally the name of the house which adjoined a low, narrow tavern which ran alongside the river Gele and to which it was later joined to form the present-day building. Similarly, the Bodelwyddan Arms, as it was known in 1861, was also joined to the next-door house, forming the Hesketh of later years. The Castle was the last of only three pubs in the town to be joined to the house next door in the 1860-1900 period. The Castle, then as now, is situated at the northern end of the junction between Pleasant Place and Dundonald Avenue. Around that time there was a clamour to close or pull down the small taverns. The Compensation Act, which had recently been passed at that time, might have been all the incentive required in some cases. But I digress.

From the 1860’s onwards Abergele saw much change, which included the disappearance of many of its taverns. Of the few left from the 1859/1862 period, only the Gwindy, the Bull (Hotel), a larger and much improved George & Dragon, the Harp (whose frontage didn’t alter at all between 1861 & 1911), Castle, Bee and Penybont survived. The Hesketh is still there on Bridge Street, almost opposite St. George Road, but under a new guise. Although the name ‘the Ship’ survives to modern days, it is not the same Ship Inn as mentioned in the listings however (see below). The Bee Hotel, two doors up from Church Street’s junction with Market Street, still occupies its original site. But what of the others?

That part of the modern day Peter Large’s property closest to the Harp is where the Cross Keys once stood. Described as ‘quite a good house with its two front rooms, one a shop, the other a tavern’ it was run by one Huw Jones in 1861, a joiner and zealous Baptist according to the diaries. Directly across the road, where Reeds Rains is nowadays, was The Swan. The original building was demolished to be replaced by a chemist’s shop in later years. The Crown is where Gwalia House, a modern day butcher’s shop, now stands. It was a butcher’s shop even in the late 1800’s, as well as a tavern, kept by a prominent Wesleyan, Edward Roberts. Behind the Swan and the Crown stood the Kings Head. The Royal Oak occupied one of the five small ‘two-up, two-down’ houses between Liverpool House (the bridal shop) and the Harp, probably where the barber’s shop is today. Interestingly, in 1891, the Post Office (formerly at Bowden House in Chapel Street) moved to one of those houses where it remained until moving to the present location in 1909. The George & Dragon was known as the Royal George in the early 1860’s. Originally described as ‘a low, old thatched house with no loft to it’ one can perhaps understand why the annual rent only increased from £7 in 1859 to £18 by 1890. For comparison The Harp, Crown & Castle were all rented at £18 p.a. in 1859, others somewhat more.

Charles Jones’ diaries take us on a clockwise tour of the town so we will pick up his descriptions in Water Street. Where the present day Tannery Court now is a cluster of half a dozen properties once stood, one of which was the White Horse tavern. For some reason, Ellis Wynne Williams’ book doesn’t show this on the 1862 Plan, nor does he mention it being in the 1859 Rate Book. He does, however, mention Nelson Vaults, part of Nelson House where Prys Jones & Booth carry on their business today. Jones’ diaries describes it as ‘quite a large property where much business was transacted’.

Across the road from Nelson House were three shops and the ruins (in 1861) of the old Lock Up. ‘In this block was the first North & South Wales Bank, the building next to it in the main street being for many years a tavern by the name of Bank Vaults’. This is another tavern which doesn’t make it into the lists in EWW’s book. ‘Next was the Red Lion, an important tavern which did much business’, sited where the current opticians is. The Penybont and Hesketh have already been discussed above so, bypassing them, our tour continues further along Bridge Street. Where Plas Newydd Buildings twin terraces now stand ‘there were many old thatched houses. Beyond them was an old long and low thatched house facing the road called New Inn. It had been a tavern long before 1861’ and is yet another not shown in the listings. It was situated roughly where Slaters have their Service building next to Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan these days.

We now about-face and head back towards the bridge over the river Gele which, ‘in 1861 was a stone arch, considerably higher and narrower than it is now’ an improvement which occurred around 1906. The first building on the corner of Glanrafon and Market Street (the Mobility shop) was a butchers for many years prior to becoming the Crown Bach (not to be confused with the Crown/Gwalia House at the other end of town). Proceeding onwards we arrive at ‘the Gwindy which remained unaltered between 1861 and 1911 and did a great trade’. Next came Cumberland house with a watchmaker’s shop, Glyn Luce, being built in the later part of the 1800’s on the site of the former tavern by the name of Mona Vaults.

Though off topic, it is interesting to list the remaining properties from Glyn Luce/the Mona Vaults if only to show their diversity. ‘Then came Bryn House and then a private house with a milliner’s shop built about 1862 next to it. Also about 1861 a Watchmaker’s shop called Grenwich house was built next to the milliner’s. Then came a farm called Ty Newydd, … next was a shop in which Edwards y Caws sold cheese’. I have mentioned those because the next property was ‘the Ship Inn, a free house with two quite sizeable rooms at the front’. This should NOT be confused with the later Ship Temperance Cafe on the corner of Market Street/Chapel Street, which didn’t open until 1907. But, to continue our description – ‘between the Ship Inn and the corner of the Llanfair Road were two shops, a milliner’s and a grocer’s. Shortly before 1861, the grocer’s shop was a tavern called the Bull and when the present Bull Hotel was built, about 1860, it became known as the Bull Bach (Little Bull) because only one of its rooms was used as a tavern at the beginning, the other being used as a shop’. What later became the Ship Temperance Cafe, a Youth Club in my time and currently a Herbal Medicine Practice, was built partly on the site of the old Bull (Bach) Inn. The story behind the origins of the Ship Temperance Cafe is interesting in its own right but not for this page.

Our perambulation of Abergele’s old taverns is almost complete with the exception of the northern side of Market Street. In 1861, the space where the Town Hall was later built in 1867 was just an open space. To the rear of this space the Market Vaults were built and served as a tavern between 1867 and 1910. The houses (demolished in 1966) in Market Place were also built about 1867 and called Local Lane. By walking westwards along Market Street, we eventually arrive at the former sites of the Crown, King’s Head and Swan to complete our circuit.

For the purists, Pensarn underwent much development in the 1850’s following the arrival of the railway in 1845, then remained largely unchanged from 1861-1911 apart from the disappearance of the White Horse Inn and the Glyn Vaults (their old locations unknown). This only left two remaining public houses to survive to the present day, The Railway (currently The Yacht) and the Cambrian (now The Park) both on the seaward side of the A548/Marine Road.

The railway appears to have been the catalyst which brought about much of the change mentioned above. Gone were most of the old taverns, which had probably been little more than a couple of planks laid across trestles in someone’s front room and with a barrel or two of ale upon them anyway. A far cry from today’s public houses with their modern image, plying their trade in buildings which have survived for over a century and a half in some instances.

New novella about a boy growing up in Abergele

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

Abergele author Rob Burslem has published new e-book called “Three Pomegranetes and a half bottle of Scotch”

Rob wrote to Abergele Post to let us know about the book because it’s about Abergele. The blurb on the book cover says:

“It is a story inspired by true life events. It depicts with compassion the poverty that existed in North Wales during the 1950’s and 60’s.  Kevin is faced with an imminent and cataclysmic life changing event. He has to decide if it’s worth going on. Before he makes that decision he needs to face up to his past and the bad things he has done to the ones he loves. He has to decide if redemption is possible. All the basic events are true and characters real.”

Rob adds that – for a limited time – readers can download a free Kindle copy from Amazon from Thursday 19th September to Monday 23rd September 2013.