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WILLIAM OWEN DAVIES
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1923 - 2002
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William Owen Davies, my father, was born on the 15th March 1923 in 64 Denbigh Street, Llanrwst, the eldest of Idwal Glynne and Winifred Myfanwy Davies' four children. He is pictured here with his mother left. and aged 3 on the right.
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He was the eldest son of Idwal Glynne and Winifred Myfanwy Davies, pictured above.
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William on the left with his brother Thomas Glynne Davies.
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This school report from 1933 shows great promise.
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REPORT ON ATTENDANCE, CONDUCT AND PROGRESS
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Term ending December 22nd 1933
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| NAME William Owen Davies AGE 10yrs 9 months CLASS 4 |
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No. of Pupils in Class 33
Arithmetic 30 out of 40
Reading 10 " " 10
Spelling 10 " " 10
Writing 10 " " 10
Composition 17 " " 20
Drawing 9 " " 10
CONDUCT V. Good
REMARKS; A good steady worker,
should get on well.
E.C Davies Class Teacher
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Position 2nd
English Lang 10 out of 10
Welsh Lang 8 " " 10
Welsh Comp 18 " " 20
Welsh Spelling 10 " " 10
Welsh Reading 10 " " 10
ABSENCES 7
Very good
R. Jones Head Teacher
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LLANRWST GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Educated at Llanrwst Grammar School, he was a keen athlete, winning the Victor Ludorum in 1939 and 1940 and runner up in 1938.
Here are some entries in the 1939 School Magazine, relating to Wil's sporting achievements at the school, during the 1938/39 academic year.
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Athletic Sports
July, 1938
President - The Head Master
Organiser - R.H. Jones Esq
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Glorious summer weather added the 'finishing touch' to the Athletic Sports held on July 22nd, 1938, which was as well-organised as ever by Mr R. H. Jones. On this, the last occasion upon which Mr R. H. Jones was present as a member of the Staff, it was fitting that the presentation of prizes should be made by Mrs R. H. Jones. The untiring efforts of Mr R. H. Jones in the organisation of the Sports and the valuable help of Mrs R. H. Jones in chosing the prizes have brought unbroken success to this function. May we offer our heartiest and sincere thanks to them both.
As to the actual proceedings, the 'Osborne Jones' Victor Ludorum Cup was awarded to Harold Jones and the 'Rev. D. M. Evans' for the runner-up was awarded to W. O. Davies and S. Roberts (jointly).
Grace Clarke won the 'Victrix Ludorum' Cup, 'the runner-up' cup going to Jean Jones and Gwyneth Wakely (jointly).
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Football 1938 -39
Captain - H. R. Jones Vice Captain - J. E. Owen
Team Secretary - W. A. Williams Treasurer - N. S. Powell
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Team; R. H. Roberts; N. S . Powell; W. O. Davies; Arthur Roberts;
H. R. Jones; J. R. Jones; G. Hughes; F. M. Jones; W. A. Williams;
J. E. Owen; and A. E. Roberts.
J. G. Williams and G. W. Davies also played at intervals
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SCHOOL FIXTURES AND RESULTS
22.09.38 Home 8 v 7 Old Boys
24.09.38 Home 4 v 7 Llanrwst Reserves
01.10.38 Home 3 v 6 Llandudno C.S.
08.10.38 Home 2 v 3 Abergele C. S.
22.10.38 Home 1 v 9 Wireless College
29.10.38 Home 4 v 5 Colwyn Bay C. S.
03.11.38 Home 5 v 1 Clwyd College
08.11.38 Home 1 v 1 Old Boys
12.11.38 Away 4 v 6 Ffestiniog C. S.
19.11.38 Home 5 v 3 Trefriw Reserves
27.11.38 Away 3 v 4 Cwm Reserves
03.12.38 Away 5 v 4 Trefriw Reserves
14.01.39 Away 6 v 2 Trefriw Reserves
21.01.39 Home 7 v 4 Ffestiniog C. S.
28.01.39 Home 5 v 3 Tan-y-Grisiau Urdd
04.02.39 Home 0 v 6 Cwm Rangers
18.02.39 Away 2 v 5 Colwyn Bay C. S.
11.03.39 Away 1 v 5 Abergele C. S.
18.03.39 Home 6 v 6 Ministry of Labour Camp
25.03.39 Away 1 v 7 Ministry of Labour Camp
01.04.39 Home 2 v 1 Rhiw Ffestiniog
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Cricket 1938
Captain - A. W. Smith Vice Captain - H. R. Jones
Team Secretary - S. Roberts Treasurer - N. S. Powell
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Team; - A. W. Smith; H. R. Jones; S. Roberts; N. S. Powell; R. H. Roberts; J. E. Owen; W. O. Davies; W. B. Lloyd; P. N. Roberts; D. R. Pugh; and D. G. Thomas.
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The team enjoyed a fairly successful season, six matches being won out of eleven played. The most outstanding performance was that of N. S. Powell who scored 61 runs against Dolwyddelen
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Home 18 - 66 v Wireless College
Home 29 - 48 v Ffestiniog C. S.
Home 51 - 78 v Crosville Bus Depot
Home 77 - 76 v Llandudno C. S.
Home 96 - 54 v Crosville Bus Depot
Home 51 - 13 v Ffestiniog Thursdays
Away 53 - 77 v Colwyn Bay C. S.
Home 122 - 49 v Dolwyddelen
Home 56 - 54 v Ffestiniog Thursdays
Home 94 - 51 v Wireless College
Home 61 - 68 v Colwyn Bay C. S.
House Championship - tied
Gwydyr, Geirionydd, Hiraethog - all 4 points
In the present 1939 season the School has won four matches out of the six played to date.
Powell has once more distinguished himself by scoring 86 runs in the match against the Old Boys.
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DAYS AT GORSEDD GRUCYN
Wil enjoyed many a day at the family farm of Gorsedd Grucyn, where his great grandparents lived and spent several times there. These days are recalled by him in this letter extract, which he sent to the current owner David Davies (no relation) or Dei Bryniog, following a visit there in 1999.
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The visit took me back sixty years, when I was spending a lot of time in Gorsedd. If there was no need to muck out the cowshed and the stables, I would be walking the fields, especially at the time of ploughing the Gorsedd sheepwalk, when the lapwing was nesting. |
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The hen would walk yards before rising into the air so nobody would know where the nest was, but if there were four eggs in the nest with their pointed ends towards the middle I didn't touch them as the hen had started hatching them.Nain used to fry lapwing eggs for me, and they were delicious (a stronger taste than hens' eggs) with home baked bread and fresh butter.
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Lapwing eggs
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Another pleasure was catching moles with a trap and making sure that I rubbed my hands in the soil, otherwise the mole would scent my body. By making sure no light went into the hole I was sure of a mole by the morning.
Catching leverets (a leveret is a young hare, as you know) - once I saw one I would give a cough, and the hare would freeze. Then walking slowly behind her (a hare can only see to either side of her) and picking her up before letting her go.
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Catching hares with a snare in the hedge at the bottom of Gorsedd sheepwalk where the hare path led through the hedge, setting the snare the length of a fist and a thumb to the bottom of the snare (the length of a fist for a rabbit). Then Jo would sell them for 2/6 in town . . .
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Views of Gorsedd on that delightful August day in 1999, when Wil and family again visited Gorsedd Grucyn |
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Delightful days in Paradise, Dei?
By now we have settled in a small town where nothing moves but the traffic.
Best wishes to you all, and thank you for your welcome.
Wil a Jean
(William Owen and Jean Davies)
Llandeilo
Sir Gaerfyrddin
31 Awst 1999
Annwyl Dei, Mary a'r plant,
Wythnos i heddiw yr oeddym yn mwynhau eich croeso yng Ngorsedd Grycun, a diolch yn fawr iawn i chi.
Aeth yr ymweliad a mi yn ol drigain mlynedd, pan oeddwn yn treulio llawer o amser yn Gorsedd. Os nad oedd angen carthu'r beudy a'r stabal, 'roeddwn yn cerdded y caeau, yn enwedig amser aredig Ffridd yr Orsedd, pan oedd y corn chwiglog yn nythu.
'R oedd yr iar yn cerdded llatheni cyn codi i'r awyr, lle bo neb yn gwybod ble'r oedd y nyth, ond os oedd pedwar wy yn y nyth a'u pigau at y canol, nid oeddwn yn cyffwrdd a hwy, gan fod yr iar wedi dechrau eistedd arnynt. Byddai Nain yn ffrio'r wya corn chwiglog i mi ac 'roeddynt yn flasus (blas cryfach nag wy iar), gyda bara cartre' a menyn ffres.
Pleser arall oedd dal tyrchod gyda trap ac yn gwneud yn siwr fy mod yn rhwbio fy nwylo yn y pridd, neu mi fuasai'r twrch yn arogli fy nghorff. Gan wneud yn siwr nad oedd ddim golau yn mynd i'r twll, 'roeddwn yn sicr o dwrch erbyn y bore.
Dal lefrod (lefrau yw sgwarnog ifanc fel y gwyddost) - unwaith a welswm un, byddwn yn rhoi peswch, a mi fydda'r lefran yn wardio. Gan gerdded yn araf tu ol iddi (nid yw sgwarnog ddim ond yn gweld y ddwy ochr iddi) ac yn ei chodi a'i chyflechu cyn ei gollwng yn rhydd. Dal sgwarnogod yn y clawdd yng ngwaelod Ffridd yr Orsedd gyda magl lle'r oedd y llwybr swarnogod yn arwain trwy'r clawdd, gan osod y fagl hyd dwrn a bawd i waelod y fagl (hyd dwrn i gwningen). Yna bydda Jo yn eu gwerthu am 2/6 yn y dre.
Dyddiau hyfryd mewn nefoedd o fyd Dei?
Erbyn hyn yr ydym wedi ail setlo mewn treflan lle nad oes dim ond y traffic yn symud.
Cofion gorau atoch oll, a diolch am eich croeso,
Wil a Jean
(William Owen a Jean Davies) |
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PLAYING SPORT
Wil played cricket and football for Llanrwst.
LLANRWST CRICKET CLUB
Llanrwst Cricket Ground, which is adjacent to the football pitch. This is where he once took 8 wickets for 38 runs. Pictured right is all that remains of the club's cricket pavillion from those days.
LLANRWST FOOTBALL CLUB.
His brother in law Eric Roberts recalls a goal he once saw Wil score for Llanrwst Football Club, which he describes for me below;
I will never forget the movement of play at that game. The right back made a ground pass to the right half, who crossed it over to midfield. Your Dad was positioned just inside the opposition's half, a few feet inside the halfway line. He hit it first time with his right foot on the rebound, and it went high towards the goal. It was virtually the perfect 'Drop-Shot' and it entered the goal a few inches under the crossbar. The goalie never smelt it !!! (Llanrwst were playing at the time, in the direction of the river, i.e. from right to left.) I can't remember his field position in the team, but at a guess I think it was left half.
He was a very good player and very fast on the ball. His passing was accurate, and during the time I saw him play, he 'Made' many other goals by accurate passing to the forwards. With the passage of time now, I cannot remember who they were playing.
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Above - the goal end in which Wil scored his goal.
Below - Llanrwst United's historic stand which they obtained from Accrington Stanley when they resigned from the Football League during the 1961/62 season. My thanks to Phil Smith, Chairman Llanrwst United FC for this information. |
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The football player 'positions' indicated below differ to the ones used today. In those days these were the positions used;
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Goalkeeper.
Right Back & Left Back.
Right Half - Centre Half - Left Half.
Outside Right - Inside Right - Centre Forward - Inside Left - Outside Left.
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Reproduced here are league tables for the period in which he played for Llanrwst Town. Llanrwst were League Champions in 1947/48, but I cannot ever recall Dad mentioning playing for a championship winning team.
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Vale of Conway League
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1945/46
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Pl
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W
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D
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L
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F
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A
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Pts
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Llanddulais FC
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12
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10
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1
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1
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52
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24
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21
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Llandudno Junction FC
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12
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8
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2
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1
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37
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12
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18
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Conway FC
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12
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5
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4
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3
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30
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25
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14
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Penmaenmawr FC
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12
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5
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0
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7
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37
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33
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10
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Llanrwst Town FC
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12
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3
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4
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4
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27
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38
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10
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Colwyn Bay FC
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12
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3
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1
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8
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26
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35
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7
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Dolgarrog FC
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12
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1
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0
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11
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20
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61
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2
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1946/47
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Pl
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W
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D
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L
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F
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A
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Pts
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Conway FC
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18
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4
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3
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1
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87
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33
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31
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Llanrwst Town FC
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18
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3
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0
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5
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71
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27
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26
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Dolgarrog FC
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18
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8
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4
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6
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52
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30
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20
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Penmaenmawr FC
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17
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8
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3
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6
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50
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52
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19
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Llnadudno FC Res
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18
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8
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1
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9
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54
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53
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17
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Llysfaen FC
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18
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7
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2
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9
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56
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52
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16
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Betws Y Coed FC
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17
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5
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4
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8
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39
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52
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14
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Colwyn Bay FC Res
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18
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4
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5
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9
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42
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58
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13
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Dolwyddelan FC
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16
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4
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3
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9
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37
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58
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11
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Trefriw Spa FC
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18
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4
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1
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13
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37
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63
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9
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1947/48
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Pl
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W
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D
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L
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F
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A
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Pts
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Llanrwst Town FC
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20
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16
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1
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3
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91
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31
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33
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Dolgarrog FC
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20
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14
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1
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5
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75
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40
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29
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Machno United
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20
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13
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1
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6
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88
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36
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27
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Llandudno FC Res
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20
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11
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3
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6
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62
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41
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25
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Llysfaen FC
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20
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9
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5
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6
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79
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46
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23
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Llandudno Junction FC Res
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20
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9
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3
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8
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57
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62
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21
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Dolwyddelan FC
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20
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7
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4
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9
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49
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67
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18
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Colwyn Bay FC Res
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20
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6
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4
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10
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36
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71
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16
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Betws Y Coed FC
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20
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3
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5
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12
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32
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58
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11
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Trefriw Spa FC
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20
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3
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3
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14
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38
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67
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9
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Blaenau Ffestiniog FC Res
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20
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3
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1
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16
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40
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128
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7
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POST OFFICE
He started work with Llanrwst Post Office in 1940 as a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. His starting wage was 13/6d a week. His father also worked there as a postman.
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WORLD WAR II
Dad , like so many others would not talk a lot about his war days. However his granddaughter Kim was asked to talk to their grandparents about what they did during the war, a nd Dad wrote this account for her. William was called up to the army in 1942. He is pictured with his mother Winifred Myfanwy, Anti Carrie and sister Ceinwen, during some war leave.
I was in the Grammar School (form 5) when war broke out. There I remained until August 1940, when I started work at the Post Office in Llanrwst as a counter clerk.
However, on the 12th February 1942, I was conscripted into the army. A day which would change my life completely.
I very well remember leaving home for the first time, aged eighteen. I had to catch the 8 o'clock train from Llanrwst to Cardiff. On the way to the way to the station, I heard a Welsh programme on everyone's wireless set as I walked along, and I could hear a party singing "R wyf innau'n milwr bychan, yn cychwyn ar fy nhaith!" - I am a little soldier, starting on my journey!
I was initially attached to the 4th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers as
Fusilier DAVIES W.O. 14200775
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Llandudno Junction
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I had to change trains at Llandudno Junction, where I met Huw Jones from Pencaerisiog, Anglesey, who could not speak English and he asked me if I would keep him company. |
I agreed and we were together at Heath Camp. Cardiff, where we practised marching and treating different types of illnesses.
I soon realised that strangely, many of my friends, who were more like brothers to me, were being stationed overseas, including Huw - and I was being left behind all the time.
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However, my turn soon came to join the 8th Battalion of The Royal Welch Fusiliers, in Yeovil, Somerset. This would be the first time for me to camp in a tent with the rest of the soldiers. By now, I was well used to the uniform and nailed boots! |
Army Book 64
SOLDIER'S SERVICE
and PAY BOOK
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B Company 8th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers. November 1942
In time, I was moved to Swanage, Dorset. From there, on to work at Corfe Castle. By now marching ten miles meant nothing to me but sore feet.
Time soon came to move again, this time to Bournemouth, where I learned to ride a 500cc Norton motorbike, and spent some time with the Field Security Police. I was now enrolled in the Battalion's 'Intelligence Section', where I had to learn about military aircraft from each country and how to read maps, as I had to arrange convoy routes from one place to another. Again several of my friends were being sent abroad, but I had to remain here. This happened throughout the time I was in the army.
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Dover Castle
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I was sent to the Isle of Wight to learn more about explosives. From here to Beaulieu, where two of us looked after gallons of petrol. Then to Dover and a stay at The Citadel. - a castle on high ground, where it was possible to tell the time on a Calais clock in France, through a telescope! Here there were four large cannons which would fire shells over to France. I was also at Dover Castle, learning more about military work.
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DOVER CASTLE HISTORY;
In the twentieth century the castle played an important role in both world wars. The castle was armed with anti-aircraft guns and searchlights, supplemented during the Second World War with Radar.
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In May 1940, the evacuation of 338,000 allied soldiers from Dunkirk was directed from a command centre in the converted Georgian underground barracks, at Dover Castle. New tunnels were built to house an underground hospital and the combined headquarters for the three services. After the war the army remained in the castle until 1958; five years later the whole of Dover Castle was handed over to the Ministry of Works for preservation.
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MY NEXT MOVE
I moved on to St Margaret's Bay, where I stayed in underground offices. Here I received details of German shipping in codified form. I had to decode and forward the information to the relevant administrative sections. There soon followed a long journey for me from Dover to Berwick on Tweed by motorbike, to show convoy drivers the way there, and stopping overnight in Saffron Waldren, where I taught American soldiers how to read maps and find their way during day or night. Then on to St Neots, Morpeth before reaching Berwick on Tweed.
Following this excursion, I went to Maidstone. Here five of us were guinea pigs. Each of us were given a sedative of three different colours, followed by an IQ test. The results differed greatly.
On another occasion, we were given a map of a part of France and had to state its suitability for infantry and tank warfare - it was an area between the beaches and Caen, where we later operated!
By this time, plans were afoot to land in France.
D DAY PREPARATIONS
The Normandy landings were the beginning of Operation Overlord - or the invasion of German-occupied Europe. Originally planned to take place on 1 May 1944, the operation was postponed a month to allow time to gather more troops and equipment. The timing was important to allow for the right weather, a full moon, and tidal conditions.
To keep the destination of the landings secret, a deception plan Operation Fortitude was mounted which led the Germans to believe the main target was the Pas de Calais, much farther east. When the landings finally began there were only 14 of the 58 German divisions in France facing the Allies. While there was stiff resistance at other beaches, Omaha was the only one where the success of the Allied mission was in serious doubt.
The invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious assault ever launched. It involved five army divisions in the initial assault and over 7,000 ships. In addition there were 11,000 aircraft.
In total 75,215 British and Canadian troops and 57,500 US troops were landed by sea on D-Day. Another 23,400 were landed by air. By 11 June the Allies had secured the Cotentin Peninsula beyond Cherbourg but progress continued slowly as the Germans put up fierce resistance.
THE CROSSING
I stayed at Hayward's Heath. We were billeted in tents in the woods. We were supposed to sail from New Haven on D-Day plus 2, but the boat we were meant to sail in was sunk and no other boat was available until the 23rd June.
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So, on the 23rd June 1944, we crossed the English Channel to the beaches of Arromanches, following British, Canadian and American troops through Bayeaux and on to Caen, where there was fierce fighting. We could hear our own shells, fired from our ships, whistling over our heads and anding on the German army. Fierce fighting continued the Germans bombarded us endlessly with their 9 barrelled mortars.
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British troops have a wash day at Bayeux
AFTER THE LANDINGS
Both sides faced difficulties after the landings. The Germans hoped to contain the Allied beach head with infantry forces, while saving their mobile reserves for a major counter-attack. The numerous hedgerows, sunken lanes and small villages of the Normandy countryside offered them good cover and restricted Allied mobility.Because they still feared another Allied landing in the Pas de Calais, however, the Germans held some troops back and reinforcements were slow to arrive. The movement of German forces was also slowed by bomb damage to railways and bridges, by the constant menace of air attack and by the activities of the French resistance. In addition, Hitler's insistence on holding ground meant high mortality among German troops.
Breakthrough
The Allied conduct of the battle developed in two ways. The British and Canadians engaged the German mobile reserves in a series of attritional battles around Caen, while the Americans, facing less resistance, were able to gain more ground to the west. Although Montgomery (commander of the Allied land forces) faced some criticism because progress seemed slow, in the end his strategy of wearing down the German forces and keeping them off balance paid off.
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British troops in Caen
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Devastation in the city of Caen
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The long-awaited, decisive breakthrough came during late July and early August. Another British attack pinned down the German mobile forces south of Caen, while the Americans broke through against depleted opposition.
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5 French Francs. Serie de 1944
This special 'liberation money' was issued to some soldiers while they were in secure camps prior to boarding ships.
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BLOWN INTO THE AIR
I was in a shell hole with a boy from Ffestiniog and we decided to move to another hole. Unfortunately, I was blown several yards into the air. I was not injured. I was treated in 202 and 129 Field Ambulances on the 4th July 1944, and then to the Corps Exhaustion Centre on the 7th July 1944, but I knew nothing of this.
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They transferred me to a hospital ship and I crossed over back to England to Southampton hospital on the 8th July, I moved to General Hospital, Nottingham (left) on the 11th July, prior to being admitted to Northfield Military Hospital, Birmingham on the 12th July for a spell, where I underwent thorough investigation. |
A decision was made to transfer me on the 28th August to Regent's Park Rehabilitation Centre, London for three months - the treatment? - three months physical education!
Following that period, I was went to Newtown, Powys for 9 months. I was moved to 122 Medical Convalescent Depot in Blythe Bridge, where I was in charge of the injured. Having attended a pay course in Chester, I returned to Newtown as a clerk, paying the soldiers on a weekly basis.It was here in 1945 working as a Welfare Officer Clerk and Pay Clerk, I was promoted to Lance Corporal, and was due to be Corporal, but was discharged, as I had a job to go to in the Post Office.
My last day in the Army came, and I went to Oldham to be fitted for my grey and white de-mob suit, together with other items of clothing. It was at this time that I got to discover why I was never sent overseas in the earlier days of my war - my records had been destroyed in the blitz in London, on the month I joined up.
I considered myself to have been very lucky indeed.
My service number was 14200775 Fusilier Davies W. O.. I was called '75'.
BRAVERY
This is where Dad's report ends. However, the one thing he did not mention, was the act of extreme bravery he undertook near Caen. He volunteered to and went into 'no man's land', to fetch water for the rest of the troops, under heavy enemy fire. He was the only single soldier in the group - the others were married. He was to be mentioned in despatches for his bravery, but his reporting officer was killed, and the act of bravery was never recorded.
NORMANDY CAMPAIGN ENDS
Forced to commit their reserves against the British, the Germans were too weak to oppose the American breakthrough after 25 July. As the Americans poured out into the open countryside, a counter-attack ordered by Hitler failed and by mid-August the Germans were facing encirclement. They retreated in chaos and the Allies had taken Paris by 25 August.
The end of the Normandy campaign came with the destruction of the German 7th Army in the Falaise pocket in August.
Although the Allies had reached the German frontier by September they decided to re-group during the winter, because of the failure of Market-Garden and the setback in the battle of the Bulge, and the invasion of Germany only began in January 1945.
To read more on the Drive on Caen, please click on the following link;
http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/ADADD5C6-9F34-4A94-AD03-5C915E25AD51/0/ww2_caen.pdf
CLOTHING COUPONS AFTER THE WAR
After the war, Wil rejoined the Post Office.
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In 1951, he married Jean Roberts, daughter of Owen John and Sarah Michell Roberts of Dolgarrog at Seion Chapel, Llanrwst. Jean worked for David Thomas, Solicitor in Llanrwst. They raised two son, Ken and Paul.
William and Jean, 9th June 1951 and 21 Cae Tyddyn, Llanrwst, their first home in Llanrwst.The house is now renumbered 18.
William enjoyed writing children's stories and poetry. Several of his stories were broadcast on the radio in the 1950's. "Helyntion Wili Draenog" and "Lalws" (actually based on a cat who once lived at Gorsedd!) were later published and distributed throughout Welsh schools.
He won chairs in Eisteddfodau; Holywell in 1954 and Llansawel, Carmarthenshire, in 1974. His poetry was published in his book "Cerddi Tair Tref".
APPOINTMENT
A letter dated 2nd December 1959 from the G.P.O. stated ;
I am directed to inform you that authority has given for your appointment as Postmaster Dolgellau (S) Barmouth.
Will you please say when you are prepared to take up duty at Dolgellau so that it can be agreed with the Head Postmaster in Barmouth.
May I offer you my sincere congratulations on your promotion and express the hope that you will be very happy in your new sphere of operations and that further promotion will come your way in due season.
Signed; T.G. Tilling, Head Postmaster
He was appointed Postmaster in Dolgellau in 1960.
DOLGELLAU NEW P.O. OPENED
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William Owen Davies above left with the new Post Office above right
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The new Post Office in Meurig Street, Dolgellau was opened yesterday by Dr. Hugh D. Owen (Chairman of Dolgellau Urban Council). Among those present were Mr K. Thomas (representing the Director of the Post Office Wales and Border Counties; Mr W. J. Harris (Head Postmaster at Barmouth; Mr W.O. Davies (Postmaster at Dolgellau); Mr Ernest Rees (Assistant Postmaster at Barmouth); Mr D.W. Jones-Williams (Clerk to Merioneth County Council); Superintendent John StT. David Jones (representing Gwynedd Constabulary) Councillor John Rees and Mr B. Williams-Jones (Chairman and clerk respectively of Dolgellau Rural Council) and Mr Evan Williams (Clerk to Dolgellau Urban Council).
After the ceremonial opening the party was conducted on a tour of the new building.
Wil is pictured above with Higher Grade Postmen Marshall Davies left, and Eric Walker right.
| Dolgellau Post Office on the 1st November 2007. |
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Ivy House, Finsbury Square, Dolgellau was our first home in the town. It is now a very impressive Guest House.
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Please see the 'Links to other Websites' on the left hand side of page for more information on Ivy House..
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The family moved to 1 Bryntirion around 1962. It had a commanding view over the valley. It has now been converted into flats.
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He was given a double promotion to Llandeilo in 1970, where he worked until his retirement in 1983. Throughout these times, wife Jean gave him tremendous support.
AWARD FOR LLANDEILO MAN
For the second successive year, the Civil Service Council for Further Education has recognised the endeavours of Mr W.O. Davies, Postmaster, Llandeilo, in the field of further education.
Mr Davies will be presented with a highly commended certificate at the banqueting hall, Cardiff Castle on April 18th.
Guest Speaker will be Mr Barry Jones M.P. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, who will also make the presentation.
HAT-TRICK POSTMASTER
For the third successive year, Llandeilo Postmaster, Mr William Owen Davies has been awarded a certificate and monetary award by the prize giving sub-committee of the Civil Service Council for Further Education.
Mr Davies, who has won the award for his efforts in the field of education, will be presented at the annual prize distribution ceremony at the Cardiff College of Food and Technology and Commerce on July 8.
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SEREN HAFREN
Papur Bro ardal Y Drenewydd
YMWELIAD A YSGOL HAFREN, Y DRENEWYDD.
Mr W O Davies gyda Menna Jones, Kim a Rhian |
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Pan oedd Mr W O Davies o Landeilo ar ymweliad a'i fab Mr Ken Davies a'r teulu, galwodd yn y dosbarth lle mae ei wyres, Kim, yn ddisgybl yn Uned Gymraeg, Ysgol Gynradd Hafren. Mewn sgwrs gyda'r athrawes, Mrs Menna Jones, deallodd fod ei lyfr 'Anturiaethau Lalws' yn dal i gael ei darllen yno. Cyhoeddwyd ef yn 1976 dan nawdd Cynllun Llyfrau Cymraeg Cyd-Bwyllgor Addysg Cymru.
Braint oedd ei gael i arwyddo'r llyfr a dymuno'n dda i'r ysgol.
Enw cath ei nain oedd Lalws ac yn ystod 1954 bu adrodd ei hanturiaethau yn ogystal a Helyntion Wili Dreanog ar Radio Cymru gan y ddiweddar Charles Williams, a chanlyniad hynny oedd cyhoeddi'r ddwy gyfrol. Roeddynt wedi gwerthu allan mewn byr amser.
Cyhoeddodd gyfrol o'i farddoniaeth hefyd, 'Cerddi Tair Tref, sef Llanrwst, Dolgellau a Llandeilo. Sioned Penllyn.
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April 1999
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OFFICIAL OPENING AT LLANDEILO
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Guest of honour and former postmaster Bill Davies (right) and his son Paul, at the official opening.
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A former postmaster whose family has served 100 years with the Post Office in Wales, was guest of honour at the official opening of Llandeilo Delivery Office in March (1999). |
William Owen Davies (76) was postmaster in charge of Royal Mail Operations in Llandeilo for 11 years before he retired in 1983, after 43 years service.
"I left 16 years ago, but I still keep in touch with the delivery office in Llandeilo. I was delighted to be chosen to perform the opening ceremony", said Bill, who is a Welsh language author and poet.
Bill's son Paul, a postman at Llandeilo, was among Royal Mail staff at the official opening.
The new £650,000 office, sited a few hundred yards from the old office, provides improved services for customers and better conditions for staff.
It is equipped with the latest style sorting frames and there is a dedicated customer reception area.
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FAMILY
They loved and had great interest in their sons Ken and Paul, and their wives
Marian and Teresa. Their grand daughters Kim, Rhian, Sarah, Rebecca and
Bethany were a shining light to them and they loved to share in the successes
of their schoolwork.
William took a great interest in the news of the wider family areas, and they
loved their annual visits to "yr hen gynefin" (see letter to Dei Bryniog in 1999
in the Gorsedd Grucyn link).
Dad passed away on the 30th November 2002, and Jean still lives in Llandeilo.
The following words are taken from a reference written for him by The Reverend
John Jones M.A. in 1940.
"He is of an unblemished character, worthy of all trust and confidence.
He will give of his best".
How very true those words were. He was also a very
kind, generous person, who would willingly help anyone who had a problem.
He is greatly missed.
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