Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

Commencing in 1932, The Western Mail held annual St. David’s Day essay writing competitions for school children.   Each year, essays had to be submitted on a suitably patriotic topic.   In 1942, the newspaper set the essay: “What Wales has to gain by Victory”.   There were separate sections, one for elementary schools and another for secondary schools, and in each section there were categories for entries submitted in Welsh and in English.   The competition was popular, and in 1942 entries were received from all the Welsh counties.   In the Welsh category of the secondary school section the winner was Alwyn Davies of the Aberdare County School for Boys.   Alwyn was the eldest of three brothers who all attended the school, indeed for a certain period all three were at school simultaneously. Alwyn attended from 1937 to 1943, and was Head Boy in his final year; Elfed from 1940 to 1946; and Hywel from 1941 to 1947.   The family lived at 9 Belle Vue in Trecynon. Alwyn became Head of the Welsh Department at Dynevor School, Swansea, then moved to Bishop Gore from which he retired; Hywel became a Head of Year at a Monmouth Comprehensive School, and Elfed after periods in the RAF and Luton, finally became Headmaster at Hirwaun Junior School.

*Owen L. Thomas was the son of Miners’ Agent D.E. Thomas, who in 1946 became Aberdare’s M.P. after George Hall was elevated to the peerage;   Elwyn Jones became a television writer, producer and executive. He is best remembered for the scripts he wrote for the BBC’s Z-Cars and Softly, Softly. Elwyn was also a winner of the St David’s Day Essay Competition, but in 1939;   John L. Jenkins became the organist at St. Elvan’s and Head of Penywaun School; Ewart Rees became an estate agent.   Mansel Barling’s father was Colliery Manager at Tower.