Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School
Published Examination Results
CWB Examination Results, 1944
Higher Certificate; transcript from The Aberdare Leader September 2nd 1944
C.W.B. RESULTS
Higher Certificate
ABERDARE BOYS’ COUNTY SCHOOL.
These results were announced during the week-end:—
Conrad Bayliss: English; Latin; French with Conversational Power.
Vincent Chidgey: Pure and Applied Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry.
Norman Davies: Pure and Applied Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry Subsidiary.
Thomas Griffith Jones; Pure and Applied Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry Subsidiary.
Alun Francis Roberts: French with Conversational Power; Geography; Music.
ABERDARE GIRLS’ COUNTY SCHOOL.
Elizabeth Davies: English; Welsh; History with Distinction.
Betsi Evans: English; Welsh; History.
Kathleen Winifred Griffiths: English; French with Conversational Power; Pure and Applied Mathematics.
Margaret Hall Hughes: English; History; Geography.
Doris Evelyn Jenkins: English; Geography.
Megan Thomas: English; History; Geography.
Mabel Wheatcroft: English; History; Geography.
Gwyneth Williams: Chemistry; Botany; Zoology.
(Other results are expected this week-end, and will be published next week).
School Certificate; Transcript from the The Aberdare Leader, 16th September 1944
Central Welsh Board
LOCAL COUNTY SCHOOL RESULTS.
Key: Subjects in ordinary small type indicate a pass; in CAPITALS a credit; in black type "very good." C.P. indicates conversational power.
BOYS.
SCHOOL CERTIFICATE RESULTS
Brian L. Berry—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., Geography, French, MATHEMATICS, BIOLOGY, MUSIC (Theory), Music (Practical).
Gwynfryn Beynon— ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., Geography, Welsh, MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS, Chemistry, Art.
Lyndon D. Church—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Art.
Elfed Davies—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., Geography, WELSH (C.P.), Mathematics, Physics, CHEMISTRY.
Myrddin Davies — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., Geography, WELSH (C.P.), Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, Biology.
Donald T. Edwards—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., History. Geography, Latin, FRENCH, MATHEMATICS, Gen. Science.
J. Duncan Evans—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., History, Geography, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS, BIOLOGY.
John W. Evill—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., Latin, FRENCH, MATHEMATICS, GEN. SCIENCE.
Alan J.R. Excell—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., GEOGRAPHY, Latin, French, Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, Gen. Science, ART.
Leonard J. Fey—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., FRENCH, Mathematics, PHYSICS, Chemistry, Biology.
Colin Fowler—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, LATIN, FRENCH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Gen. Science.
David Harries—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., Geography, WELSH, Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, GENERAL SCIENCE Book-keeping.
D.B.G. Hoggins—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, LATIN, FRENCH, MATHEMATICS, Art.
W.E.J. Horton — ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., GEOGRAPHY, French (C.P.), Mathematics, Physics, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, Music (Matric).
Edward J. Howells—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., WELSH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS, Chemistry, Woodwork, Music (Theory), Music (Practical).
H.H.M. Hughes — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., Geography, FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, PHYSICS, Chemistry, BIOLOGY, Woodwork.
David M. Johnson—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, GEN. SCIENCE, Woodwork, BOOK-KEEPING.
David Gwyn Jones—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, Gen. Science.
William John Jones—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., French, MATHEMATICS, GEN. SCIENCE, WOODWORK.
David C. Kevill — ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., LATIN, French (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, GEN. SCIENCE, Music (Theory), MUSIC (Practical).
Colin W. Lawrence—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., FRENCH (C.P.), Gen. Science, MUSIC (Theory), MUSIC (Practical).
Brenig L. Lewis — ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., Geography, Latin, Welsh, ARITHMETIC, Art.
Wm. B. Llewellyn — Eng. Lang., ENG LIT., LATIN, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, Music (Matric).
Cenydd Morgan — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., History, Geography, LATIN, FRENCH (C.P.), Gen. Science.
David John Morgan—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., Geography, Welsh, MATHEMATICS, Chemistry.
Howard A. Morgan—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS.
Gordon R. Morris — Eng. Lang., Geography, French, Mathematics, CHEMISTRY, Woodwork.
Leslie A. J. Morris—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, Geography, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, Biology.
John Oliver—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, Geography, French (C.P.), Mathematics, PHYSICS, Chemistry.
Charles B. H. Owen—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., Geography, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY.
James A. Thomas—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., Geography, Welsh, MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, WOODWORK.
J. Everett Thomas— ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), Mathematics, PHYSICS, Chemistry.
L.H. Underhill — ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., Geography, FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, PHYSICS, Chemistry, Biology, WOODWORK.
Dennis Williams — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., Geography, MATHEMATICS, BIOLOGY.
Emyr Williams — ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., GEOGRAPHY, French, Mathematics, Physics, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, ART.
Supplementary Certificate.
Howard G. Bowen— ENG. LANG., Physics.
Peter Callaghan — Eng. Lang., PHYSICS, Chemistry.
Ronald J. Cooke — Eng. Lang.
Elwyn Evans — Geology.
David Gerald Evans — PHYSICS.
Gordon J. Fithen — MATHEMATICS.
W. Dd. Oxenham — Latin.
Ifor Gwyn Thomas — MATHEMATICS.
Ex-Pupils.
Thomas H. Pendry — History.
John Lewis — ENG. LANG.
GIRLS
SCHOOL CERTIFICATE RESULTS
Pamela Allen—ENG. LANG., History, Geography. French, Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, BIOLOGY, ART.
Audrey P. Birch — Eng. Lang., French, MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY.
Joan M. Bollard—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, French, ARITHMETIC, DOM. SCIENCE, ART, Needlework, COOKERY.
Mair Bruton—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., Geography, WELSH (C.P.), Art, NEEDLEWORK, COOKERY, Music (Matric).
Alice M. Condon—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, LATIN, French (C.P.), ARITHMETIC DOM. SCIENCE, ART.
Jean A. Crooks—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., HISTORY. GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C,P.), Mathematics, Biology, ART.
Beryl May Davey—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History, Geography, Latin, Dom. Science, ART.
Eliz. May Davies—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, Latin, WELSH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Art.
Sheila G. R. Davies—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, ARITHMETIC. Chemistry, Biology.
Valmai Edwards — ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Art, NEEDLEWORK, MUSIC (Matric).
Aileen Evans—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., Geography, Welsh, ARITHMETIC, DOM. SCIENCE, Art, NEEDLEWORK, COOKERY.
Betsy May Evans — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT. History, Geography, WELSH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Dom. Science, Art, BOOK-KEEPING.
Eileen Gregory—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, CHEMISTRY, Biology.
Edith Griffiths—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., History, Geography, WELSH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Bio1ogy, Art.
Barbara Iles—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., GEOGRAPHY, Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, Biology, ART.
Hauldys James—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Dom. Science, ART. Shorthand.
Hester M. James—ENG. LANG., ENG LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, LATIN. FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, Biology.
Neolle P. Jenkins—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, Geography, WELSH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, Biology, ART.
Megan Elaine John—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, Welsh, MATHEMATICS, Biology, ART.
H. Rosemary C. Jones—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, French (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, Biology.
Iris Jones—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., History, LATIN, FRENCH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Biology.
Mair Jones—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., History, Geography, LATIN, WELSH (C.P.), DOM. SCIENCE.
Margaret P. Jones—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History, Geography, Latin, French (C.P.), Mathematics, Biology.
Myra Jones—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., History, GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), Biology, Art.
Maxine E. Lewis—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., GEOGRAPHY, WELSH, ARITHMETIC, DOM. SCIENCE, ART, BOOK-KEEPING, Shorthand.
Gwyneth Llewellyn—ENG. LANG., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, Latin, ARITHMETIC, Art.
Amy C. Malpas — ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., History, Geography, French, ARITHMETIC, Chemistry.
Mary P. Marshall — Eng. Lang., HISTORY, Geography, WELSH (C.P.), Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, BIOLOGY, Art.
Barbara E. Maxfield — Eng. Lang„ Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, French, MATHEMATICS, Biology, ART.
Vera McKenzie—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, Biology, ART.
Dorothy E. Morgan—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, LATIN. WELSH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, BIOLOGY.
Margt. Eliz. Morgan—Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., Geography, Welsh, Mathematics, BIOLOGY, ART.
Moira D. Morgan—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, French (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, Biology, Music (Matric).
Sybil I. Moseley — Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., Geography, MATHEMATICS, BIOLOGY, ART.
Gwyneth A. Parker—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, Biology.
Charmion J. Parsons — ENG. LANG. ENG. LIT., History, GEOGRAPHY, LATIN, FRENCH (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Dom. Science, Art.
Gwyneth J. Phillips—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., GEOGRAPHY, WEISH (C.P.), Arithmetic, ART, NEEDLEWORK, Cookery.
Joyce Phillips — ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, Biology, Music (Matric).
Morwen Phillips — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., History, Geography, Latin, Welsh (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Dom. Science, Art.
Sheila L. Phillips—ENG. LANG., En Lit., GEOGRAPHY, French (C.P.), Arithmetic, Biology.
Olwen Margaret Preece -—-ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History, GEOGRAPHY, French. Dom. Science, Art.
Margretta Ann Rees — ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History, GEOGRAPHY, Welsh (C.P.), MATHEMATICS. BIOLOGY, ART.
Elma Lily Richards—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History. GEOGRAPHY, French, MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY.
Muriel Samuel — ENG. LANG., GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), Mathematics, BIOLOGY, ART.
Sybil Avinia Samuel—Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., History, Geography, French, MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, Biology.
Muriel Vida Spiers—Eng. Lang., History, GEOGRAPHY, WELSH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, BIOLOGY, ART.
Ann M. Bevan Thomas — Eng. Lang., Eng. Lit., HISTORY, Geography, WELSH (C.P.), Mathematics, Chemistry BIOLOGY.
Enid Lea Thomas — ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH (C.P.), Mathematics, BIOLOGY, ART.
Patricia C. Thomas—ENG. L ANG., History, GEOGRAPHY, Mathematics, ARITHMETIC, Biology, Art.
Catherine M. VOSS—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., History, GEOGRAPHY, FRENCH C.P.), MATHEMATICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY.
Agnes M. Williams—ENG. LANG., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, Geography, FRENCH (C.P.), MATHEMATICS, Biology, ART.
Mair Eil. Williams — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, LATIN, Welsh (C.P.), ARITHMETIC, Dom. Science, Art.
Margt. E. Williams—ENG. LANG., Eng. Lit., History, Geography, Biology, Art.
Mary Williams — ENG., LANG., ENG. LIT., Geography, Welsh, ARITHMETIC, Art, BOOK-KEEPING, SHORTHAND.
Doreen Woodford — Eng. Lang., ENG. LIT., GEOGRAPHY, Welsh, ARITHMETIC, Dom. Science, ART, Book-keeping, SHORTHAND.
Supplementary Certificate
Yvonne G. Beeching — Physics.
Margt. P. Bonnell — Physics.
Agnes Mary Carr — LATIN.
Beryl A. Jones — LATIN.
Ann June Thomas — PHYSICS.
The Central Welsh Board, CWB, set its first examinations in 1897, and awarded its first
certificates in 1899.
Higher Certificate was roughly equivalent to GCE Advanced Level, and taken at an age of about 18 years.
School Certificate was taken at the age of 16, but to gain the certificate, passes in a minimum number of
subjects were required.
The Supplementary Certificate was usually taken after one year in the sixth form and was awarded in separate
subjects.
Notes
Conrad Bayliss married Beryl Abraham who did her ‘Highers’ in ACGS in 1949. Conrad’s great-grandfather came to Aberdare from Worcester to work as a G.W.R. engine driver. He remained in Aberdare for 52 years until his death in 1929. Conrad went into the RAF after school and became a Pilot Officer. Later, he entered U.C. Cardiff and graduated B.A. in 1946.
Vincent Chidgey, (1926-2001), went to U.C. Cardiff and afterwards had a career as an industrial scientist. He married Dilys Leach who was in the same year at school as he was. He and his wife lived in Cwmaman.
Alun Francis Roberts was the brother of Brinley F. Roberts, C.B.E. He graduated in Music at U.C.W. Aberystwyth, and later became a teacher. Shortly after university he sang bass in the Welsh Festival of Britain Choir in 1950.
Brian Lendon Berry, (1928–2011), has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.
Elfed Davies
Elfed Davies still lives in Gadlys Road. He was headmaster of Hirwaun primary school. In his retirement he has turned his hand to writing several local history books which are sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. At the proclamation of the National Eisteddfod in Aberdare in 2023, he was singled out in the speech of the Archdruid for his contributions to the Welsh language in Aberdare, and for being the sole remaining member of the Aberdare National Eisteddfod organising committee in 1956.
Alan Excell, (1927–2009), has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this
website.
Derek Hoggins, (1926–2011), was a son of the Commercial Subjects teacher, Ronald Victor Hoggins, at the County School. Derek’s brother Dennis has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website.
Colin William Lawrence, (1930–2002), had a long association with Cwmbach Male Voice Choir being appointed as deputy conductor in 1968. Later, he became the Musical Director of the choir, 1983–1991. He was also headteacher at Caradog School in Aberdare. He was the son of Coun. William Lawrence, at one time Leader of Aberdare UDC, and for many years he was ‘Father of the Council’. Colin was brought up in Neville Terrace, Gadlys.
Bill Llewellyn
William Burgess Llewellyn, (1929–2017), attended the school from 1939 to 1947, and was Head Boy and Captain of the Rugby XV in his final year. Outside school, he was deputy organist at St. Elvan’s, and stepped in to play the larger Calfaria organ in the absence of their organist, Edgar de Lloyd. After school, Bill studied Classics at Cardiff University and Music at Oxford, where he was an Organ Scholar at Balliol College. He became a teacher at King’s College Junior School in Wimbledon in 1956, and remained there until his retirement in 1991. During his long career, he taught Latin and Music and was also a fine sportsman and many boys benefited from his rugby coaching. He finished his career as Second Master at the school.
John Oliver, (1927–1994), was brought up in Hirwaun and went off to U.C. Cardiff after school. 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.
Leslie Herbert Underhill, (1929–2003), was awarded a State Scholarship on the strength of his Higher Certificate results. After gaining a double first in Maths & Physics at Aberystwyth, he went to London University where gained his Ph.D. He became a Senior Scientific Officer at AWRE, Aldermaston. At the age of 28, in 1957, he was awarded a European Council Fellowship to carry out research at CERN in Geneva.
William David Oxenham, (1927–2012), was the son of the High 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 (Ivor) 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.
Margaret Patricia Bonnell, (1927–1999), was the step-daughter of Tom Carter, the manager of an Aberdare brickworks who lived in Abernant. Pat went on to study chemistry at Nottingham University, work in the labs of Eli Lilly & Co., and teach, as Mrs Pat Snook, for many years in Basingstoke, firstly at the Girls’ County High School and then at Queen Mary’s Sixth Form College in the same town. In 1954 she married Gordon Snook of Winchester, an Eli Lilly research chemist. She died in Cliddesden, Hampshire in 1999. Her brother was Denys Llewellyn Bonnell, (1922–1984), a mining engineer who at different times was an official at Fforchaman and Cwmneol collieries in Cwmaman.