Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

11-Plus

Transcript from The Aberdare Leader, June 24, 1944.

Scholarship Results, 1944

This is the school entrance examination list for 1944 transcribed from The Aberdare Leader. The names are in rank order of marks obtained in the examination; the maximum mark was 300. Each Intermediate School, (later Grammar 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 initially gain a place, might have done so the following year. For example, Leah M. Sawyer was 84th with 115 marks in 1944. In 1945, she was 7th with 203 marks.

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.

The list probably does not tell us exactly who started at the County School in 1944. Account should be taken of the reluctance of a small number of parents to allow their sons or daughters to enter the County School, as fees would be payable. Also, some families preferred their children to enter employment so that an additional wage came into the home. 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 into 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 1944.

County Scholarship Results

FIRST 100 BOYS AND GIRLS

Here are the lists of the first 100 girls and boys in the Glamorgan County Scholarship examination (published during the weekend). The lists have been abbreviated as much as possible this year owing to restrictions on Space. First marks arith; second compos.

Key to Abbreviations

T.Cl: Town Council; T.C: Town Church; A: Aberaman; Ab: Abernant;
Am: Aman; B: Blaengwawr; Cap: Capcoch; S.M: St. Margaret’s RC.; C: Cwmaman; C.C: Cwmbach Council; C.Ch: Cwmbach Church;
Cd: Cwmdare; G: Glynhafod: H: Hirwaun; L: Llwydcoed; P: Park;
S.F: St. Fagan’s; R: Rhigos; Br: Brookside.

BOYS.

1. Eric J. Baker, R., 120, 133, 253.
2. T. J. Harrington, S.M., 124, 128, 252.
3. Alan Williams, B., 111, 131, 242.
4. W. E. Hurst, T.C., 120, 113, 233.
5. Ron. Walters, T.Cl., 115, 116, 231.
6. R. B. Griffiths, Cd., 106, 122, 228.
7. G. Jenkins, T.Cl., 140, 85, 225.
8. Viv. Thomas, R., 110, 112, 222.
9. Eric Lawrence, H., 111, 108, 219.
10. D. E. James, C.C., 114, 102, 216.
11. David S. Bird, T.Cl., 94, 121. 215.
12. Stuart Morgan, H., 109, 99, 208.
13. Fredk. Bryant, A., 126, 80, 206.
14. Peter Williams, P., 90, 114, 204.
15. Wm. B. Lewis, C.C., 88, 112, 200.
Peter L. Jones, B., 104, 96, 200.
17. R. T. Erasmus, Ab., 80, l19, 199.
18. F. N. Williams, A., 102, 95, 197.
J. M. Crammer, T.C., 70, 127, 197.
20. R. S. Brake, T.Cl., 96, 100, 196.
21. A. G. C. Davies, T.Cl., 82, 113, 195.
22. Alan Marsh, B., 87, 107, 194.
23. Geof. Parker, L., 91, 102, 193.
24. Jas. H. Powell, P., 80, 116, 190.
25. John Isaac, Cap., 102, 87, 189.
Alf. Shephard, B., 97, 92, 189.
27. D. C. Richards, T.C., 76, 111, 187.
28. W. J. Williams, T.Cl., 88, 98, 186.
29. Ken. Collins, C.C., 88, 97, 185.
Owen Jones, H., 88, 97, 185.
31. Alan H. Maddy, B., 73, 110, 183.
32. D. P. Marshall, T.Cl., 92, 90, 182.
33. John Condon, S.M., 80, 101, 181.
34. Wm. J. Watkin, L., 82, 97, 179.
35. D P. O’Shea, S.M., 62, 116, 178.
36. John A. Davies, C.C., 80, 91, 171.
37. P. G. Davies, T.Cl., 66, 102, 168.
38. Glyndwr Owen, Cd., 101, 66, 167.
39. Dd. G. Picton, S.F., 84, 81, 165.
D. D. Phillips, Cd., 52, 113, 165.
Wm. D. James, H., 60, 105, 165.
42. D. R. Williams, C., 80, 84, 164.
Derek B. Phillips. A., 92, 72, 164.
44. John S. Gould, P., 62, 101, 163.
45. Kenneth Jones, Cap., 78, 84, 162.
46. Silas D. Davies, Cd., 92, 66, 158.
David H. Samuel, B., 77, 81, 158.
48. H. H. Francis, T.Cl., 48, 106, 154.
John A. Evans, P., 84, 70, 154.
50. D. G. Williams, T.Cl., 54, 97, 151.
Wm. C. Holmes. P., 78, 73, 151.
52. James S. Weir, T.Cl., 60, 87, 147.
Richard Arnold, P., 44, 103, 147.
54. John Oliver, Cd., 80, 66, 146.
55. Arthur D. Clark, Am., 79, 66, 145.
Richd. S. Howells, L., 78, 67, 145.
57. Lynd. E. Hughes, A., 50, 94, 144.
58. Frank Thomas, G., 62, 81, 143.
Brian C. Buck, T.C., 28, 115, 143.
60. D. R. Brockway, H., 65, 76, 141.
61. Ray. Walters, T.Cl., 66, 73, 139.
62. David Williams, Cap., 74, 64, 138.
Stan. G. Beynon, P., 56, 82, 138.
64. Geo. J. Lewis, Cap., 83, 53, 136.
65. Ray. P. Clark, B., 58, 76, 134.
Albert E. Evans, Cap., 70, 64, 134.
D. J. Cummings, P., 58, 76, 134.
68. David M. Phillips, P., 84, 48, 132.
Alan P. Davies, A., 58, 74, 132.
70. Colwyn S. Jones, H., 73, 58, 131.
David B. Horler, P., 46, 85, 131.
72. Emrys Jenkins, P., 66, 63, 129.
73. Iorwerth Harris, P., 48, 78, 126.
74. Malcolm S. Jones, B., 66, 58, 124.
Raymond Lucas, A., 68, 56, 124.
76. Roy. I. Davies, C.C., 38, 84, 123.
77. Austin M. Eaton, Cap., 38, 84, 122.
Geo. A. Dunning, Am., 50, 72, 122.
79. Ken. C. T. Bickell, B., 62, 59, 121.
80. T. R. Williams, T.Cl., 50, 70, 120.
81. Lewis G. Jones, Cap., 80, 37, 117.
82. Derek Morgan, Ab., 44, 70, 114.
Ray. Davies, Am., 45, 69, 114.
T. D. R. W. Evans, R., 48, 66, 114.
85. Chas. Twissell, S.M., 44, 69, 113.
Des. F. Hawkes, Br., 50, 53, 113.
Leonard Vowles, P., 44, 69, 113.
Wm. T. Cowdrey, P., 16, 97, 113.
89. Wind. L. Davies, C.C., 40, 72, 112.
A. T. Handley, Am., 50, 62, 112.
91. Vivian Jones, B., 32, 78, 110.
92. Ken. R. Hughes, T.Cl., 48, 61, 109.
93. Merlyn Morgan, Cd., 42, 66, 108.
94. Gran. Griffiths, C., 52, 55, 107.
95. Wm. E. Dickson, Cap., 34, 72, 106.
96. Ant. T. W. James, P., 30, 71, 101.
John Nicholas, P., 42, 59, 101.
98. W. D. Jenkins, T.Cl., 44, 56, 100.
99. Malcolm Smith, R., 30, 69, 99.
100. Byron Lloyd, P., 30, 68, 98.

GIRLS.

1. Diane H. Kelly, P., 112, 144, 256.
2. Sheila B. Jones, H., 129, 117, 246.
3. Shirley Chegwidden, T.Cl., 109, 130, 239.
4. Eliz. J. James, Cd., 121, 117, 238.
5. M. A. Davies, Cap., 103, 115, 218.
6. Chris. Llewelyn, Ab., 122, 90, 212.
7. Patricia I. Jones, H., 92, 113, 205.
Joyce Roberts, P., 80, 125, 205.
9. Sonia Shane, B., 84, 120, 204.
10. Mali Jones, C.C., 110, 92, 202.
11. D. M. George, Am., 64, 127, 191.
12. Sybil M. Stone, L., 66, 124, 190.
J. L. R. Davies, P., 82, 108, 190.
14. B. V. Thomas, T.C., 70, 119, 189.
15. Mary J. Moyle, C.C., 80, 108, 188.
16. G. E. Nicholas, B., 74, 113, 187.
17. R. O. Williams, P., 56, 128, 184.
Joan Lewis, T.C., 80, 104, 184.
19. Anne Presswood, Br., 65, 118, 183.
20. Megan Roberts, C.C., 54, 128, 182.
21. Kath. P. Burton, L., 64, 115, 179.
G. Thomas, C., 88, 91, 179.
23. Thel. M. Hurst, T.C., 84, 93, 177.
24. Jean Harrrs, Ab., 92, 82, 174.
25. Margt. E. Davies, R., 72, 101, 173.
26. Wini. Evans, T.C., 67, 105, 172.
27. Mary Williams, C.C., 90, 81, 171.
28. P. K. Crimmin, T.Cl., 46, 124, 170.
29. Mari E. Truman, P., 64, 105, 169.
30. Ann V. Blayney, R., 64, 103, 167.
31. K. M. Wales, Ab., 89, 77, 166.
Eliz. Phillips, C.C., 76, 90, 166.
33. Lil. D. Everett, Cap., 89, 76, 165.
34. Anita Edwards, L., 70, 94, 164.
35. Mgt. L. James, C.C., 51, 112, 163.
36. J. Thickett, B., 97, 65, 162.
Rosa J. Pugsley, T.Cl., 64, 98, 162.
38. Menna Roberts, R., 62, 99, 161.
39. D. M. Parker, B., 44, 116, 160.
40. Mgt. J. Evans, C., 53, 104, 157.
41. Dor. E. Chivers, T.C., 58, 98, 156.
42. B. E. Stanford, P., 46, 109, 155.
43. J. W. Williams, P., 46, 107, 153.
44. Margt. Davies, T.Cl., 54, 97, 151.
Morwena Morgan, H., 58, 93, 151.
M. E. Williams, T.Cl., 36, 115, 151.
47. Elenor M. Jones, Ab., 80, 70, 150.
E. C. Condon, S.M., 50, 100, 150.
Jac. B. Thomas, C., 40, 110, 150.
50. Barbara Phillips, C., 56, 93, 149.
51. Anne St. Leger, R., 40, 107, 147.
Cynthia Jones, A., 72, 75, 147.
53. Joan Davies, C.C., 46, 97, 143.
54. Myra George, C., 50, 91, 141.
Rita Griffiths, Am., 66, 75, 141.
Margt. E. Best, T.C., 34, 107, 141.
Eirwen Jones, Cap., 48, 93, 141.
Joan M. Davies, H., 46, 95, 141.
59. Ruth H. Jenkins, P., 38, 102, 140.
H. K. E. James, L., 60, 80, 140.
61. Ann Baigent, P., 40, 99, 139.
Dor. M. Edwards, Am., 56, 83, 139.
63. Beryl Williams, C.C., 48, 90, 138.
64. Janita Thomas, Cap., 62, 75, 137.
Kathleen John, B., 52, 85, 137.
66. Kath. S. Evans, A., 62, 74, 136.
67. Jean Beynon, T.C., 46, 88, 134.
D. M. Edwards, T.Cl., 68, 66, 134.
69. M. S. Marshall, T.Cl., 52, 80, 132.
70. Marl. J. Lewis, Am., 22, 109, 131.
71. Marj. Y. Price, Ab., 62, 68, 130.
72. Margery Jones, Ab., 52, 77, 129.
73. Joan V. Griffiths, P., 56, 72, 128.
74. Eira M. Newcombe, B., 70, 57, 127.
75. Cynthia Moses, P., 32, 94, 126.
76. Pauline Hughes, Ab., 53, 72, 125.
77. Maur. O. Davies, C., 56, 68, 124.
78. Betty Abraham, P., 30, 92, 122.
79. Jean M. Jones, C.C., 30, 90, 120.
80. Joan M. Tucker, B., 19, 100, 119.
81. N. E. Edwards, C.C., 60, 58, 118.
Clara M. Payne, T.Cl., 34, 84, 118.
83. Jean Scott, Am., 10, 107, 117.
84. Leah M. Sawyer, G., 34, 81, 115.
85. Eliz. M. Oliver, R., 60, 54, 114.
Con. E. Davies, C.C., 54, 60, 114.
87. Myf. Edwards, S.F., 26, 87, 113.
Mgt. R. Phillips, P., 26, 87, 113.
Kirt. D. Williams, P., 14, 99, 113.
Livina Jones, C.C., 28, 85, 113.
Ellen M. Owen, S.M., 34, 79, 113.
92. Betty Freeman, Am., 34, 77, 111.
Patricia Thomas, G., 42, 69, 111.
94. Joan G. Williams, P., 18, 92, 110.
Margt. J. Hill, Ab., 48, 62, 110.
96. W. J. Saunders, Cap., 64, 43, 107.
97. Mairwen Edwards, R., 40, 65, 105.
Cynthia E. Jones, P., 26, 79, 105.
99. Nita Banyard, Cap., 48, 56, 104.
Shir. J. Samuel, Ab., 44, 60, 104.

Notes

David S. Bird was a member of the family of Aberdare solicitors. He played for the school Cricket 1st XI for several seasons, and was selected to play for Glamorgan Secondary Schools. He married Menna Davies, sister of Dr Alun C. Davies (ABGS 1948–56). David went on to UCW Aberystwyth.

Raymond T. Erasmus was son of County Councillor Jim Erasmus, Abernant. He played cricket for the school's 1st XI team in 1950 and 1951. Ray became a teacher of French.

John Isaac from Abercwmboi became headteacher of Afon Taf High School, Troedyrhiw.

Ken Collins was born in Cwmbach but spent most of his adult life at Godreaman; after ABGS he left to take up a career, initially in local government, and then in the Fire Service where he served as a Station Officer, until he was obliged to retire through ill health. In his retirement he studied humanities, and gained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Ken joined the Cynon Valley History Society not long after its inauguration. He became a member of its committee and later took on the role of treasurer, a post he held for 30 years, a record for any Society officer.

James Scott Weir James' mother Nellie was the sister of P.E. Phillips, Head of French and later deputy head at ABGS. James' paternal grandfather was D. Scott Weir, MRCVS, veterinary officer for Welsh Associated Collieries, and later for Powell Duffryn Co. Ltd. After school, James went on to U.C. Cardiff where, in 1958, he gained an upper second in History.

Richard Arnold worked in the library service in Aberdare Central Library. He took a particular interest in the Reference Department and local history, and with Ken Rees he was a co-author of the list of Aberdare hotels, pubs, beer houses, inns and clubs that was published by the CVHS in Old Aberdare Volume 2. He became deputy borough librarian, and when Mr Gwynfryn Davies died, he succeeded him as Borough Librarian. Richard lived in Herbert Street in Foundry Town. He died a relatively young man at the age of 53 in February 1986.

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.

Brian Charles Buck spent his later years in Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire. He died there in 2023 aged 90.

Alan H. Maddy, John Condon and Derek Morgan have entries in the Former Pupils section of this website.

Shirley Chegwidden was the daughter of Gwynneth and Cuthbert Chegwidden, M.A., the second warden of Fairfield Educational Settlement, Coleg Gwerin Cynon. The Chegwiddens stayed at the Settlement from 1936 until 1950, although Mrs Chegwidden deputised as warden, 1942–45, while her husband took a post with BBC Empire Services. Mr Chegwidden was active in local cultural and civic life, including producing local musical and operatic productions with the Resolven & District Amateur Operatic Society. He was also a secretary of the Aberdare Rotary Club, and President of Aberdare Swimming Club. The Chegwidden’s son, Roger, died in 1957 aged 21.

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