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Aberdare Boys’ Grammar SchoolSchool Photographs |
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W.D. Towler’s Form Photograph, 1923
from School Records with further details from Menna White
These boys entered the school in September 1922. We know very little about them, apart from Archie Edwards, back row 4th from the right. He was from Plas-y-ddraenen, Cwm Isaac, Rhigos. In 1933 he qualified as a pharmaceutical chemist, and became a pharmacist at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Whilst there, he continued with his studies and qualified as an optician.
The form master is William David Towler, who taught Physics with some mathematics. Mr Towler taught at the school from 1920 until 1952. He was brought up in Stuart Street in Cardiff, and attended Eleanor Street Board School in the docks area of the city. He graduated B.Sc. in 1914, and taught briefly at Pembroke Dock and Holywell County Schools before arriving in Aberdare. For many years he was a familiar figure on his daily walk from his home in Llwydcoed to school. He lived in ‘Lamorna’ next door to E. Ceredig Jones, the Latin master. He died in Taunton aged 82 in 1974. His daughter Pat*, died aged 28 within two years of her marriage to John Camburn, a professional singer. He was one of the Ilford County High School boys who came to Aberdare as an evacuee in 1940.
*Pat Towler is pictured in the class photo of 1 alpha, in the 1938 Album in the Girls’ School section.