Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

11-Plus

Transcript from The Aberdare Leader, June 10, 1939.

Scholarship Results, 1939

This is the school entrance examination list for 1939 transcribed from The Aberdare Leader. The names are in rank order of marks obtained in the examination; the maximum mark was 300. Each school took in two Forms of about 30 pupils each, so approximately the first sixty girls and sixty boys would have been offered a place at the schools. However, many elementary school pupils tried the scholarship exam twice, and so some of the pupils in these lists who did not gain a place, might have done so the following year. For example, Brian Berry who was placed 80= in the 1939 list, was placed second when he retook the exam in 1940.

Although the exam was called the scholarship exam, only those with the highest marks were awarded scholarships. The others would be offered a place, but fees would be payable.

This list probably does not tell us exactly who started at the County School in 1939. Account should be taken of the reluctance of a small number of parents to allow their sons or daughters to move up to the County School, as fees would be payable — unless a full fee exemption scholarship was awarded. Also, some families would prefer their children to enter employment so that an additional wage for the home would be gained. Added to which some families moved away over the summer, or in rare cases a boy or girl might wish to join a sibling at a Secondary Modern School. There would also be a small number of transfers to the two schools from other districts.

Consequently, this results page provides a good, but not definitive, list of the boys and girls entering the two secondary school in September 1939.

FIRST 120 FOR GIRLS’ AND BOYS’ COUNTY SCHOOLS.

HERE are the results of the Glamorgan County Entrance Scholarship Examinations, held in connection with Aberdare Boys’ and Girls’ County Schools, published yesterday (Wednesday).

The usual number of places available at each school is between 58 and 61. We give the first 120 on each list.

First number of marks is for arithmetic and second for composition; last figure is total out of maximum of 300 (150 each section).

ABERDARE GIRLS

01—Ivy N. Warner, Town Ch. Jnr. M., arithmetic 142, composition 126, total 268.
02—Joan Davies, Park G., 142, 123½, 265½.
02—Megan Elaine John, Park G., 137, 128½, 265½.
04—Jean Probert Morris, Blaengwawr G., 135, 117, 252.
05—Agnes M. Williams, St. Margaret’s R.C., 122, 128½, 250½.

06—Margaret P. Bonnell, Brookside Prep., 130, 119½, 249½.
07—Margaret P. Jones, Gadlys G. Central, 115, 132½, 247½.
08—Beryl Thomas, Brookside Prep., 127, 117½, 244½.
09—Joan B. Dix, Glynhafod M., 113, 129½, 242½.
10—Irene M. Howells, Hirwaun G., 135, 105½, 240½.

11—Irene G. Rowlatt, Gadlys G. Central, 132, 108½, 240½.
12—Beatrice F. Williams, Brookside Prep., 120, 116½, 236½.
13—Iris Audrey Cousins, Gadlys G. Central, 126, 106½, 232½.
14—Beryl E. Tennant, Park G., 112, 117½, 229½.
15—Agnes M. Carr, St. Margaret’s R.C., 110,115½, 225½.

16—Mair E. Williams, Glynhafod M., 124, 101, 225.
17—Gwyneth M. Price, Blaengwawr G., 102, 122½, 224½.
18—Enid Thomas, Brookside prep., 140, 80½, 220½.
19—Beryl Nicholas, Park G., 144, 73, 217.
20—Gwyneth Llewelyn, Blaengwawr G., 106, 110½, 216½.

21—Elizabeth D. Morris, Cwmbach Sen. Cl., 114, 101½, 215½.
22—Jean A. Crooks, Town G. Cl, 111, 103, 214.
23—Mair Jones, Hirwaun G., 119, 93½, 212½.
24—Moira D. Morgan, Aberaman G. Cl., 104, 105½, 209½.
25—Margretta A. Rees, Rhigos Cl., 104, 101½, 205½.

26—Daphne Daniels, Aberaman G., 84, 119½, 203½.
27—Elma L. Richards, Park G., 93, 109, 202.
28—Ethel E. Page, Blaengwawr G., 104, 96½, 200½.
29—Berwyn M. Pugh, Cwmaman G., 105, 94½, 199½.
30—Charmian J. M. Parsons, Aman Jnr. M., 106, 92½, 198½.

31—Joyce Vokes, Glynhafod M., 104, 92½, 196½.
32—Hauldys James, Cwmbach Cl. Snr. M., 104, 88½, 192½.
33—Morwen Phillips, Cwmdare M. Cl., 106, 86, 192.
34—Doreen Griffiths, Park G., 87, 104½, 191½.
35—Elizabeth E. John, Hirwaun G., 103, 86½, 189½.

36—Margaret E. Morgan, Llwydcoed M. Cl., 96, 93, 189.
37—Harriet Jones, Cwmbach Snr. Cl., 71, 115½, 186½.
38—Valmai Edwards, Hirwaun G., 107, 78, 185.
39—Hester M. James, Park G., 86. 96½, 182½.
39—Margaret E. Wyatt, Park G., 74, 108½, 182½.

41—Megan Evans, Gadlys G. Central, 61. 118½, 179½.
41—Elizabeth E. Williams, Park G., 82, 97½, 179½.
43—Sarah G. Newcombe, Blaengwawr G., 92, 87, 179.
43—Doreen Woodford, Town G. Cl.. 92, 87, 179.
45—Mary Williams. Glynhafod M., 105, 73½, 178½.

46—Margaret E. Thomas, Blaengwawr G., 72, 106, 178.
47—Mair Bruton, Town Ch. Jnr. M., 78, 98½, 176½.
48—Maxine E. Lewis, Capcoch M., 76, 99, 175.
49—Rosemarie Parry, Town Ch. Jnr. M., 99, 73½, 172½.
50—Gwladys Brown, Aman Jnr. M., 93, 78, 171.

50—Beryl M. Davy, Aberaman G., 96, 75, 171.
50—Joyce Phillips, Park G., 89, 82, 171.
50—Olwen M. Preece, Park G., 69, 102, 171.
54.—Elsie P. Smith, Aman Jnr. M., 82, 88½, 170½.
54—Joan Williams. Aman Jnr M., 100, 70½, 170½.

56—Velma James, Gadlys G. Central, 94, 74½, 168½.
57—Phyllis Dalwood, Town Ch. Jnr. M., 94, 73½, 167½.
57—Beatrice M. Williams, Cwmbach Cl., 67, 100½, 167½.
59—Constance I. Wyatt, Park G., 64, 103, 167.
60—Elizabeth E. Sweet, Aberaman G., 110, 55½, 165½.

60—Mair Williams, Park G., 65, 100½, 165½.
62—Sinah J. Thomas, Town G. Cl., 74, 90, 164.
63—Margaret V. Woodland, Town Ch. Jnr. M., 89, 74½, 163½.
64—Alice M. Condon, St. Margaret’s R.C., 57, 106, 163.
60—Betsy M. Evans, Cwmaman G., 72, 91, 163.

66—Gwyneth J. Phillips, Gadlys G. Central, 80, 81, 161.
67—Doreen Cole, Cwmdare M. Cl., 91, 68½, 159½.
68—Pamela Allen, Brookside Prep., 61, 94½, 155½.
69—Joan Davies, Aberaman G., 71, 84, 155.
69—Kathleen E. Egleton, Aberaman G., 86, 69, 155.

71—Margaret F. Rees, Blaengwawr G., 56, 98, 154.
72—Emma J. Craven, Hirwaun G., 99, 51½, 150½.
73—Beatrice Stone, Capcoch M., 106, 44, 150.
74—Eurwen Griffiths, Cwmdare M. Cl., 65, 84, 149.
75—Mary E. Preece, Capcoch M., 76, 69, 145.

76—Patricia C. Thomas Blaengwawr G., 66, 78, 144.
77—Olive E. Clifton, Town Ch. Jnr., 81, 60½, 141½.
78—Menna H. Jones, Park G., 50, 91½, 141½.
79—Olive Richards, Gadlys G. Central, 52, 88½, 140½.
80—Irene Whitcombe, Abernant M. Cl., 44, 95, 139.

81—Sheila Gwen I. Davies, Park G., 65, 72, 137.
81—Sara A. Fisher, Llwydcoed M. Cl., 59, 78, 137.
81—Joan I. Tavender, Town G. Cl., 52, 85, 137.

ABERDARE BOYS’ COUNTY
SCHOOL.

01—William D. Oxenham, Town Ch. Jnr. M., 144, 126, 270.
02—Ivor B. John, Park Boys’ Cl., 138, 125½, 263½.
03—Alun Thomas, Cwmaman B., 144, 112½, 263½.
04—Leslie A. J. Norris, Aman Jun. M,, 130 112½, 242½.
05—John H. Hooker, Glynhafod Mxd., 124 116½, 240½.

06—Graeme Hughes, Cwmbach Cl, 124, 115½, 239½.
07—Leonard Hill, Mardy Hse Ch. Cet., 118, 119½, 237½.
08—Dennis P. Edwards, Gadlys B. Central, 122, 106½, 228½.
09—George W. Hill, Glynhafod Mxd., 122, 105½, 227½.
10—Ifor Gwyn Thomas, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 128, 99, 227.

11—Alun A. Harris, Cwmbach Cl., 129, 97, 226.
12—John Owen, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 113, 112½, 225½.
13—Charles H. Francis, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 118, 107, 225.
14—Mansel Forey, Town Ch. Jun. Mixed, 124, 95½, 219½.
15—Alan J. Excell, Blaengwawr, 121, 93½, 214½.

16—Dyfrig G. Morgan, Rhigos Cl., 112, 98½, 210½.
17—Benjamin W.H. Knight Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 122, 84½, 206½.
18—David Gerald Evans, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 141, 63½, 204½.
19—Colin Fowler, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 122, 82, 204.
20—Harry Phillips, Cwmaman Cl. B., 115, 83, 203.

21—Douglas Walter Stickler, Aman Jun. Mxd. 114, 84, 198.
60—Howard G. Bowen, Town Cl. B., 86, 112, 198.
23—William B. Llewellyn, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 91, 105½, 196½.
24—Howard A. Morgan, Town Cl. B., 104, 91, 195.
25—Ronald J. Cooke, Town Cl. B., 86, 107½, 193½.

60—John Lewis, Mardy House Ch., 97, 96½, 193½.
27—Ieuan Evans Glynhafod Mxd., 107, 85, 192.
27—Iorwerth Howells, Park B. Cl., 114, 78, 192.
27—Gerald Lloyd Jones, Town Cl. B., 60, 132, 192.
30—David K. Ray, Cwmaman B. Cl., 80, 110½, 190½.

31—Brian E. Price, Park B. Cl., 112, 77,189.
32—Maldwyn Bolitho, Glynhafod, 101, 87, 188
33—Edgar M. Thomas, Park B. Cl., 87, 97½,184½.
34—Reginald D. Brean, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 122, 62, 184.
60—Humphrey M. H. Hughes, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 91, 93, 184.

60—Mervyn James, Gadlys B. Central, 100, 84, 184.
37—David T. Hancock, Blaengwawr B., 84, 92½, 176½.
60—Elwyn Evans, Blaengwawr B., 105, 71½, 176½.
39—Peter Callaghan Aberdare Town B., 73,103,176.
40—Ernest Cadle, Town Cl. B., 73, 102, 175

60—Kenneth Lanman, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 105, 70, 175.
42—Gordon Fithen, Park B. Cl., 65, 106½, 171½.
43—John E. Owen, Capcoch Mxd., 101, 70, 171.
44—Fred John, Park B. Cl., 69, 101, 170.
45—Norman C. Andrews, Capcoch Mxd., 74, 95½, 169½.

46—Douglas J. Evans, Blaengwawr B., 104, 65, 169.
47—Gordon S. Lewis, Park B. Cl., 98, 70½, 168½.
48—Gareth Morris, Blaengwawr B., 80, 87½, 167½.
49 —Kenneth Bruton, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 93, 73, 166.
50—Mansel G. Harris, Hirwaun B., 81, 84½, 165½.

51—Hugh C. Owen, Brookside Private, 67, 97½, 164½.
52—Thomas W. Rolls, Capcoch M., 82, 80½ 162½.
53—Kenneth Jones, Blaengwawr B., 90, 71½, 161½.
60—Myrddin Davies, Gadlys B. Central, 72, 89½, 161½
55—David G. Jones, Glyn Neath B., 71, 88, 159.

56—Kenneth W. Davies, Town Ch. Jun. Mxd., 72, 85½, 157½.
57—Grahame L. Cumner, Capcoch Mxd., 84, 73,157.
58—Gwynfryn Phillips, Blaengwawr B., 93, 62, 155.
59—James Thomas Elias, Cwmbach Cl. Sen., 92, 62½, 154½.
60—Gwynfor Jones, Gadlys B. Central, 79, 72½, 151½.

60—Wynford Barry, Blaengwawr B., 81, 70, 151.
62—William J. Jones, Park B. Cl., 70, 80, 150.
63—Kenneth Tonkin, Cwmaman B., 60, 89½, 149½.
60—Delwyn E. Morgan, Blaengwawr, 71, 78½, 149½.
60—Albert J. .Jones, Blaengwawr, 86, 63½, 149½.

66—Lewis Samuel, Park B. Cl., 70, 78, 148.
67—Charles M. Denner, Blaengwawr B., 76, 71, 147.
68—Kenneth Bevan, Cwmaman B., 82, 64, 146.
69—Brenig Lawrence Lewis, Aberaman B., 92, 53, 145.
70—Spencer Bolitho, Glynhafod Mxd., 56, 86½, 142½.

71—James A. Thomas, Capcoch Mxd., 83, 58½, 141½.
60—Glyndwr Jones, Cwmaman B., 90, 51½, 141½.
73—Sidney Summerhayes, Aberaman B., 62, 79, 141.
74—Stanley Cowdry, Aberaman B., 82, 57½, 139½.
75—Ronald G. Bassett, Abernant Mxd. Cl., 84, 54, 138.

60—David J. Morris, Cwmdare Cl., 90, 48, 138.
77—Mansel Phillips, Park B. Cl., 91, 46, 137.
78—Charles G. Romney, Cwmbach Cl. Sen. M., 63, 73, 136.
79—Trevor J. Edwards, Blaengwawr B., 61 72½, 133½.
80—John Oliver, Hirwaun B., 75, 58, 133.

60—John E. Thomas, Park B. Cl,. 66, 67, 133.
60—Brian L. Berry, Blaengwawr B., 62, 71, 133.

Notes

Margaret P. Bonnell, (1927–1999) taught Chemistry at Basingstoke High School, and at Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke.

Sinah J. Thomas, (1928–2015), also taught Chemistry, but at Aberdare Girls Grammar School, where she later became Deputy Head.

William D. Oxenham, (1927–2012), gained a State Scholarship in 1946. He was the son of Hugh A. Oxenham, a heating engineer and master plumber located in Maes-y-Dre. His mother Olwen was the daughter of D. Rees Jones the proprietor of Café Mona. After school he went to Clare College, Cambridge. He spent much of his later life in Scotland.

Ifor Gwyn Thomas left school for Caerleon Teacher Training College. In 1950, when he was teaching at Mardy House School, he married Pamela Allen of Cwmaman.

Howard Grawys Bowen, (1928–2011 ), graduated M.B., B.Ch. in 1954 from the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff, later becoming a G.P. in Swansea.

William B. Llewellyn, (1929–2017), - Head Prefect at ABGS and organist at St Elvan’s Church. He went to U.C. Cardiff, where he studied Classics, followed by Music at Oxford, where he was an Organ Scholar at Balliol College. In 1956, he joined the teaching staff of King’s College Junior School, Wimbledon where he remained until retirement.

John Oliver, (1927–1994), was brought up in Hirwaun and went to U.C. Cardiff. He returned to the school in January 1957 to teach mathematics. In 1969 he left to become Head of Maths at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School. He died in Pembrokeshire.

Alan J. Excell, Dyfrig G. Morgan, Ronald J. Cooke, Gordon Fithen. John E. Owen and Brian L. Berry all have entries in the Former Pupils section of this website.

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