Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School
Teachers
An oil painting of E.J. Excell, MBE
from Roger Excell
Ernest James Excell was appointed as a teacher of ‘Physical Training’ at
Aberdare Boys County School in 1922, although he was better known as the games
master. During the later years at the school he also taught Art. Mr Excell
came from Twyford in Berkshire where he was born in 1893. He married Elizabeth
Phipps in 1918, and the couple brought up a daughter and two sons in Aberdare.
After his retirement in 1958, Mr Excell remained in the town
and took a prominent role in the Aberdare Art Society, acting as secretary
for many years. He died in 1977 aged 84. The photograph of the
painting was submitted by Mr Excell’s
grandson Roger Excell.
E.J. Excell by Idris Cole
E.J. Excell at the 3rd Aberdare Art Society Exhibition in Victoria Hall, 22 October 1961
Left to to Right : G I John (Chairman), E J Excell
(Hon. Sec.), Lord Aberdare*,
Idris Cole, W Haubenschmid (Treasurer). Behind the
group is Mansel Jones’ painting
‘Heads and Tails’.
*
Morys Bruce, (1919–2005), the 4th Baron.
E.J. Excell at the 4th Aberdare Art Society Exhibition in Victoria Hall, 8 December 1962
Left to to Right : Hywel Davies (BBC Welsh Region,
Director of Programmes) officially opening the art exhibition, E J Excell MBE (Sec.
Aberdare Art Society),
G I John (Chairman Aberdare Art society), Councillor C Edwards (Chairman Aberdare
Urban District Council), D Gordon James (Clerk of the Council).
The last two photographs were taken by Glyn Davies and are reproduced
with permission of
Rhondda Cynon Tâf Library Service