 |
Aberdare Boys’ Grammar SchoolSchool Photographs |
 |
Upper Sixth Form Photograph, 1939
from Wendy Davies
This photograph was sent in by the daughter of the late John Davies. John is in the photo: 4th from the left in the back row. Others in the photo: John Gibbon 2nd from the left back row; Elwyn P. Howells front row 3rd from the left; T.B. Reynolds 4th from the left; W.R. Williams (Headmaster) 5th from left; and, D. Gordon James 2nd from the right front row.
John Davies was born on 21/08/20 and lived in Lambert Terrace. After he left school in 1939, (with a Higher School Certificate in Economics, History & Geography), he joined the R.A.F as a wireless operator. After the war, he went to Cardiff University to do a degree in Economics. Later on, he went back into the R.A.F until retiring in 1970. For a short time, he and his wife returned to live in Aberdare but then John accepted a teaching post on the Wirral where he lived until he died in 2014. He was a first cousin of Stacey Hopper who is in the Former Pupils section of this website.
John Gibbon was born on 24 Jul 1920. He too joined HM Forces after leaving school, and fought in Italy where he met his future wife. After the war, he trained as a teacher and taught at the National School in Cardiff Street, Aberdare. He and his wife brought up four daughters. He died relatively early in 1986; his wife Francesca lived on for a further twenty years until she died in 2006.
T. Brinley Reynolds became headmaster of the school in 1952–1954. He had been at the school as man, (1913-1954), and boy, (1904-1910). William Rees Williams was also spent most of his life as a member of staff at the school, 1904-1940, and was in his last year at the school when this photograph was taken. Both men have entries in the Headmasters’ Section of this website.
D. Gordon James became the AUDC Town Clerk, and later Vicar of Aberdare. He joined H.M. Forces in 1941, with demobilisation in 1947. He served in the army with the Lancashire Fusiliers, achieving the rank of Major. He also has an entry in the Former Pupils section of this website