Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

Notes

T.R. James

Thomas Richard James (1910–86) was from Cwmbach. He attended ABGS 1922–28 and later studied mathematics at UCW Aberystwyth, 1928–32, where he gained a First in Pure Mathematics. By 1937 he had been appointed to the staff of ABGS but commenced a headship at Brynmawr Grammar School from January 1st 1958. In 1952 he gained the LRAM qualification and was probably better known as a musician – as an accompanist and in particular conductor of the Cwmbach Male Voice Choir.

James Mansel John (1910–75) became a Baptist Minister and Baptist College Professor. He has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.

Alun Hughes-Jones

Alun Hughes-Jones (1911–96) was raised in Cwmbach, left school for U.C. Cardiff, and later in life became biology master at Pontypridd Boys Grammar School. He lived in Church Village. Alun’s father, D. J. Hughes-Jones, was the headmaster at Cwmbach Senior School, retiring from there in 1933, after having served for 40 years in various Aberdare schools.

David William Jones (1909–1992)
David, from Jubilee Rd. Godreaman, became Headmaster of State School, Henty, Victoria, Australia. Having emigrated, he nevertheless remained a patriotic Welshman, and had the Aberdare Leader sent out to him each week. He remained in Australia for the rest of his life and was buried in Warrnambool Cemetery, which is on the coast about 160 miles west of Melbourne.

Ronald Pardoe

Ronald Pardoe (1910–1988) was another Cwmbach boy, who, after teaching at Ynyslwyd School, was appointed Physics master at Cyfarthfa Grammar School, Merthyr Tydfil. He went west to Tregaron in 1948 when he became Chemistry master at the town’s County School. In 1951 Ronald was appointed Headmaster of Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, Bethesda, Caernarfonshire where he remained until he retired. He died in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

John David Timothy (1910–1989) was the older brother of Oliver J. Timothy; they were brought up in King St and at 10 Holford Terrace, Cwmdare. Oliver has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.

Glyn Voyle

Glyndwr Scourfield Voyle (1909–1993) spent almost his whole life in Aberdare. He is to be found in newspaper reports for athletics, rugby and cricket. As an adult, he was a member of the orchestra at Ebenezer chapel in Trecynon and took part in amateur dramatics in the town. In 1940 in Fulham, he married Nora Hill. In later life she became a J.P. in Aberdare. Glyn and Nora lived in Abernant Road, in a house once occupied by the cinema pioneer William Haggar.

Morgan John Williams (1910–95) The Rev. M. J. Williams, B.A., B.D., became the General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales. He has an entry in the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet, which can be found in the History Section of this website.

Wyndham Howell Davies

Howell Wyndham Davies (1908–1997) became a primary school teacher. He married Rhiannon Lewis in 1934, who was a daughter of Ted Lewis the famous conductor of the Cwmaman Choral Society. Rhiannon published the autobiographical book Wales, the Beloved Country in 1999, in which her life with Howell in Wales and Australia is described in some detail. Howell died in Australia. Howell’s name is sometimes written Wyndham Howell Davies, i.e. with the forenames reversed.

Leonard Walter Haggar (1910–81) became in 1939 a cinema manager and proprietor in Pembroke. He was the grandson of the showman, cinema proprietor and film-maker William Haggar, who built his own cinema, The Cozy, in Market St, Aberdare. Len’s son, Roy William Haggar, was a former Head of English at the Greenhill School, Tenby. Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society have published a book, From Mummer’s Booth to Silver Screen: the Life and Times of the Haggar Family, (2016), that includes information about Len.

Glyn Ivor John

Glyn Ivor John (1910–1993) lived for most of his life in Monk Street, Aberdare. As an adult he took an active part in the life of Aberdare but was best known as being the town’s librarian. Leaving a previous post in Bridgend Library, he was appointed to Aberdare in February 1947, taking over from Mrs Edith E. Sturdy, who previously with her husband, Mr W. Henstone Sturdy, had been the town’s librarians since 1904. Glyn John served as librarian in three of its locations: at ‘Chews Shop’, High St (now demolished), opposite St John the Baptist Church; at Siloa Hall (1949–1963); and from 1963 at the library where it now stands. Glyn retired in 1972 and died in 1993. He can be seen in several pictures in the online RCT Photographic Archive and was himself a keen member of Aberdare Camera Club.

David Walter Griffith Jones (1911–95) was the son of Walter H. Jones, the chemist, with premises at 3, Victoria Square. After school, David became a medical student, completing his training in 1937, and graduating MRCS LRCP (London). He eventually practised in Sussex.

Mansel Ernest Williams (1911–88) was a son of Illtyd Williams the proprietor of Aberdare’s premier drapery in Victoria Square at Compton House. Mansel reopened the business in 1946 after its closure during WW2. He ran the business for 40 years before handing over to his daughter Sybil in the late 80s. When the business closed in February 1991, it had been open for 120 years.

David Illtyd Williams (1909–65?) was also a son of Illtyd Williams the draper. He was a year older than Mansel.