bbc homepage wales home ww2 memoriesdownloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-ww2...from...

BBC HomepageWales Home

BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel

Neighbouring SitesNorth East Wales

North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales

Related BBC SitesWales

Cymru

Canolbarth

WW2 MemoriesLast updated: 17 February 2006

On Wednesday 1 February2006, the Healthy LivingCentre in Ystradgynlais held aspecial day to rememberWorld War II. The BBC WalesBus was also there to collectpeople's stories which you canread below.

Stars in BattledressSimone Lloyd Davies writes about her war yearsspent with a military entertainment troop...

The Fire WardenTommy Esteban worked at Ynyscledwyn Collieryduring the war and volunteered as a fire warden...

From Scapa Flow to SingaporeDaniel Griffiths joined the Royal Navy and servedon the arctic convoys before leaving for the FarEast...

Leaving LiverpoolDorothy Griffiths was evacuated to Ystradgynlaisfrom Liverpool in 1941...

From Kent to CoelbrenArthur Goodall was evacuated from Kent duringthe war...

Rations and the Swansea BlitzRose Evans was a child in Coelbren when the warbroke out...

WW2 Mini Site Read more wartime memories written by peoplefrom across Mid Wales...

more from this section

YstradgynlaisCoelbren's Bee KeeperLocal PhotographsPenrhos Playing FieldsPhototourSteve MeoThen & Now SlideshowUseful InfoWW2 MemoriesYour TownYstrad Art Club

14 May 2012Accessibility helpText only

This document is a snapshot of content from a discontinued BBC website, originally published between 2002-2011. It has been made available for archival & research purposes only. Please see the foot of this document for Archive Terms of Use.


BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

Stars in BattledressLast updated: 08 February 2006

Simone Lloyd Davies lives inYstradgynlais and teaches abelly-dancing class at theHealthy Living Centre. Duringthe war, she entertained thetroops as a member of themilitary entertainment groupStars in Battledress andafterwards went on to dance at the Windmill Theatre.

Written by Simone Lloyd Davies

"During the war, my name was Joan Grew. I joined the ATS(Auxiliary Territorial Service) when I was 19 and became aLance Corporal. Since then, I changed my name forprofessional reasons as I had performed professionally as adancer since the age of 16 .

We were training in Edinburgh at a place called Glencorse,then we travelled down to Aldershot and I was in a placecalled Parson's Barracks. I was a member of the ATS bandand the only tune we ever played was some Scottish tunewhich was the only tune we knew!

I became a PT instructor but during this time I was alsochosen to join George Black's 'Stars in Battledress'. Themembers of Stars in Battledress were all military personnel.We travelled round giving shows to the troops.

I performed in the show 'Stage Door Canteen' in London andthen toured barracks in the South East and SouthernCommand. This was during the time of the Doodle Bombs soit was a bit of a frightener.

I then went to Germany. I was appalled at the devastation inGermany. The company I was with took coffee, chocolate andother goodies which were bartered for commodities like Leicacameras.

I was part of an adagio dancing act and my partner was Sgt.Ronnie Cory (stage name Michael Ronni, who had been amember of the Diaghilev Ballet). One of our numbers wasdanced to the tune of 'That Old Black Magic'.

I remember saving food from the canteen to give to childrenwho appeared to be pretty near starving. Children lined therailway lines and we threw out chocolate bars and sweets tothem."

Written by Simone Lloyd Davies

Simone's war photos...More WW2 stories from Ystrad...

your comments


World War TwoA Childhood PrankA London LassATA in ActionAction in El AlameinAir Raid FearBattle of Arakan, BurmaDavid's DunkirkExchanging EggsFrom Anfield to Capel BangorFrom Kent to CardiganFrom Scapa Flow to SingaporeLand ArmyLlandod's Loudspeaker VanLlwyndafydd DaysMulberry HarboursNo Glory in WarNursing in the EastParaffin CakesPassage From IndiaRations and the BlackoutSpoils of WarStars in BattledressStudent DaysThe Battle of KohimaThe Fire WardenThe ParatrooperThe Russian ConvoysTraining in AberystwythWartime Memories from HayWartime Romance


Cassie Lawson from LeedsMy grandad Frank (Frankie) Kennedy played the accordian inStars In BattledressTue Aug 18 08:51:49 2009

Stephen Nixon from Shildon, Co.DurhamHi, My late father James William (Bill) Nixon was involvedwith Stars in Battledress and The Rhine Army TheatreCompany.He was also involved with ENSA. Have lovedreading some of the stories on here.Would love to hear fromanyone who knew him.Sun Jun 7 20:21:00 2009

Shirley Merrian . from , South EssexMy dad was in George Blacks "Stars in battle dress".My dadsstage name was *Al Gee*. He stared with Charlie Chester Mon Sep 1 11:53:43 2008

Denise Eaton, Orlando, Fla.My Mom Joyce Hardman was in s.i.b. & toured India in 1946etc...Would love to find any recordings or films. She spokevery highly of Stan Stennett.Mon Nov 26 08:19:38 2007

David ScottMy mother was in ENSA during the war working with GeorgeFormby in the Orkney and Shetland Isdlands.Her name wasWinefred Scott singing the songs you love to hear.Does any-one out there remember her...Wed Nov 7 09:17:53 2007

Joe O ReillyJoe played trumpet and entertained troops in North Africa,8th Army. any more information re this ?Mon Aug 6 11:26:02 2007

Audrey Elizabeth McClernonHi Simone. My father (Reginald Farrow) was in Stars inBattledress and, like you, followed just behind the front linetroops giving concerts. He was Terry Thomas' pianist - Terryreferred to him as the "Farrow Fingers". The used to careerabout between "gigs" in an Army lorry, frequently gettinglost, and the only protection they had was one rifle, whichnone of them were really equipped to handle (being as theywere all showbiz types). Prior to Stars in Battledress, Regwas in ENSA and recorded some 78s with StephaneGrappelli and various other ENSA members (which Iunfortunately do not now have). If anyone reads this whomight have them, I'd love to hear. Mon Nov 20 10:07:43 2006

Bob Brown from BirminghamA friend of mine's father who's name was Mulholland playedguitar with sib along with a tpt player who had the nickname 'tiny keys', does this ring a bell?Mon Sep 4 10:47:48 2006

Nola Graveney-Edwards - LlanidloesHello Simone, My late parents were members of "Stars inBattledress" touring in the Far East. Eleanor(Ginger)Fullerand Reg Graveney (Crooner) along with Johnny Shakell, BillyDainty Mildred ?, I wondered whether you knew them,Regards, NolaMon May 22 15:29:46 2006

Mannie and Jennie from HoveFuther to my email dated March 29th. I should have

mentioned that your own Stan Stennett was in the showtoo.Tue May 16 15:45:25 2006

Mannie SilvertonMy wife and I were both in a s.i.b show which toured Indiain 1946 called "On board to-night". If you are in touch withanyone from this time we would love to hear from them. Wed Mar 29 16:03:33 2006

This site is now closed and cannot accept newcomments.


BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

Simone's War PhotosLast updated: 08 February 2006

Simone Lloyd Jones from Ystradgynlais worked as aprofessional dancer from the age of 16. During the war shewas a member of the military entertainment troop Stars inBattledress. Here are a few of her photos from those days.

The A.T.S. Band

1 2 3

The A.T.S. Band photographed at Aldershot. Simone isseated at the bottom right of the picture.

your comments

Henry Holland, Bridgwater, Somerset.I remember my parents telling me that during 1944 (prior toD Day) they were invited to attend a concert at AldershotBarracks - I have no idea whether the show would havebeen by "ENSA" or "Stage Door Canteen" but I do know forsure that my brother, who was stationed at Aldershot at thetime, was due to sing, this he did, and according to myparents it went down very well with the audience. I alsoknow at the time, there was some talk of an audition withthe BBC, but sadly my brother lost his life in France after DDay. My brother was BQMS F W Holland. I was flying withBomber Command at the time but this occurrence hasalways been on my mind and at 84 years young would loveto learn find out more.

Katherine Mason from WindsorMy late father Colin Mason was in 'Stars in Battledress'. Ibelive from 1945 to 1946 or 47, I believe they did someshows in the middle east. If any one has any stories aboutthat time I would love to hear them.






BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth



The Field Stores Group

1 2 3

A promotional shot for the pantomime Aladdin presented bythe Field Stores Group of the A.T.S. Simone is on the far

right.





BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth



Dancing the Adagio

1 2 3

Simone dancing the adagio for the company 'Stars inBattledress' with her partner Michael Ronnie.

Read more about Simone's war years...





BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

The Fire WardenLast updated: 29 June 2006

Tommy Esteban from CaeHopkin was a miner atYnyscledwyn colliery for thewhole of his working life.During the war he alsovolunteered as an auxillaryFire Warden. He told his storywhen he visited the BBC WalesBus in Ystradgynlais in February 2006.

Written by Tommy Esteban

"I was brought up in Cae Hopkin. I was 17 years of age whenthe war started. At the beginning of the war we were givenidentity cards with our full name address and number. Wewere also given ration books for food. The shopkeeper wouldthen stamp the book as it was used.

It came on the wireless thatthere was to be a war effort.This meant that we were tovolunteer to take part in thehome guard, local defence andair warden service. I chosethe fire service at Abercraveand became a member of theAuxillary Fire Service.

At that time, there were no street lights and we were told toclose all curtains at blackout time. In the event of an air raid,a warning would come from the colliery hooter. We couldhear the German bombers over head. When the air raid wasover, the colliery hooter would be heard again signalling theall clear.

When the war was over it was such a sight to see the lightson the street once again and everything coming back tonormality."

Written by Tommy Esteban

More WW2 stories from Ystrad...

your comments

AbercraveI knew the whole family and what Tommy said was correct Sun Apr 11 17:12:41 2010

Rebecca, Spekei think this story is really good 4 kids in primary andsecondary as it is full of information on identity cards andration books thank you tommy eston for giving me someextra information on the second world war




http://www.bbc.co.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/local/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/things_to_do/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/nature/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/history/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/people_and_places/music/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/midwales/hi/tv_and_radio/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/mid_wales

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/20

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/travel/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northeastwales/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northwestwales/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southeastwales/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southwestwales/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/canolbarth/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/education/betsie/parser.pl


BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

From Scapa Flow to SingaporeLast updated: 28 January 2009

Daniel John Griffiths fromCwmgiedd in Ystradgynlaiswas working in the MondRefinery in Clydach when thewar began. He volunteered forthe Navy and joined up in1942, travelling on the ArcticConvoys from Scapa Flowbefore embarking for the Far East.

Written by Daniel John Griffiths from Ystradgynlais

"I was working at the Mond in Clydach (the refinery) whenthe war started and I volunteered for the Navy. I was 17 anda half when I joined in 1942.

I was sent to Scapa Flow in Scotland and joined the Ansen. Iwas on the arctic convoy with HMS Anson taking supplies toRussia. The Anson was a Battleship, 35,000 tonnes in weightwith 1200 men on board. We were escorting other ships. Wechased the Tirpitz (German Battleship) for a while.

During the convoy, we had to chip the ice of the bulk head ofthe ship to stop it listing over. We would have cocoa on thebridge but it would be cold before we reached the top. Wewore duffle coats and of course overalls and suits and tops. Ittook about six weeks altogether.

There were lots of other ships in the convoy including theIllustrious, the Formidable and aircraft carriers as well. OurCaptain was called Pony Moore. I'd love to know if he wasstill alive.

Scapa Flow was a terrible place, only trees and nothing else.We went ashore in the day to get our beer which we boughtwith tickets. It was an experience.

I met a chap from Ystalyfera on the convoy and then I methim again in Australia. After getting back from the convoythe Anson was recommissioned and I was sent abroad toSingapore.

I went to Australia to join the MONABS which were mobileoperational naval air bases. We were transferred from navaluniform to a khaki strip and were supposed to be advancedparties to go into the jungles of Singapore.

We were to prepare airbases for our forces (called MONABS)but the Japanese got wise to it. They used to pull back untilwe'd got everything ready then they'd re-advance and wipeus out. This happened to two MONABS and we were the thirddue to be sent in but after that the operation wasabandoned."

Written by Daniel John Griffiths from Ystradgynlais





BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

Leaving LiverpoolLast updated: 15 February 2006

Dorothy Griffiths wasevacuated to Ystragynlais fromLiverpool during the war.Here, she recalls thosetraumatic yet sometimesexciting times, rememberinghow she fell in love with Walesand the Welsh language. Sheliked the place so much, she decided to stay on after the war.

Written by Dorothy Griffiths from Ystradgynlais

"I remember the war in Liverpool very vividly. We were in theshelter every night. Once the siren went, we were off. Theshelter was down the end of our road and it was a nursinghome so the mothers and babies were in one part and wehad to be in the other. We had to be quiet which was a bitdifficult with all the children!

At my age, I didn't really realise how bad things were - youdon't at that age really (11). You're old enough to rememberit but not old enough to realise exaclty what was going on. Iremember one night we were in the shelter and somebodycame and said that Chapel Street had been bombed, whichwas our street. The church and houses were gone. Thefollowing morning we were up early, hunting shrapnel likesouvenirs so it showed how much we really understood, wedidn't understand at all.

I was evacuated from Waterloo, Liverpool, in March 1941. Itwas a very traumatic time and a very exciting time. We allthought we were going abroad because we didn't knowanything about Wales really. At the same time we didn't wantto leave our parents. I was with a friend walking home fromschool one day and we looked in the window of an antiqueshop in Waterloo and my friend said I wonder if they've gotforeign money in Wales. It showed how much we really knewabout Wales at the time.

We came down by bus. We'd never seen a live sheep or cowbefore but we did that day! We came to Ystradgynlais, to thelocal Welfare Hall, and waited for the billeting officer to come.As it happened, my sister and I were about the last two togo from the hall. We were kept together which was a goodthing. I was 11, old enough to remember and my sister was8. The following day we walked up the hill and went toCaerbont, Abercrave. It was very, very strange to see all thefields.

We went to the local school, but we didn't stay long in thebillet we were in because we weren't very happy there. Iwent then to what I called my aunt and uncle. I stayed withthem for 11 years. I liked Ystradgynlais and the people somuch, I was determined to learn the language. I asked if Icould go to the Welsh class in school because they had onefor the evacuees and one for the Welsh.

Welsh was spoken most of the time then and I went into the




Welsh class. Where I was staying, they were chapel people,as most people were then. I used to go to chapel and askmy aunt what the minister was saying, and I wouldremember. I was very friendly with the local vicar and hiswife and they taught me Welsh. I picked up the Welshlanguage very quick. I was happy, I really liked Ystradgynlais.

We had a youth club and because I was so interested in theWelsh language, I started to recite. The local minister's wifeused to teach me and I used to go to the local Eisteddfods. Idid win quite a bit! They didn't know that I was English. Itwas only after the adjudication that someone would say'she's a little evacuee'. I was so pleased. That made mecloser. Everybody was so nice to me.

I was in a local drama and we travelled all over Wales. Weeven went to London. Then the time came for the evacueesto go back. I did go back when I was 16, but I couldn't seemto settle back in Liverpool. My aunt had told me that if Iwanted to come back to Ystradgynlais then I could, so myfather said, well if you're happier, go so I came back andthen the time came when all the evacuees had to go back. Ididn't want to go back, because I was so happy.

I was working by then. I worked in the Anglo Celtic WatchFactory. I felt a bit guilty about it, but I didn't go back, I feltI couldn't live in Liverpool although I have lots of feelings forLiverpool. I met my husband and we've now been married 55years and live in Ystradgynlais; but I still have hiraeth forLiverpool - I like to see the team winning and I like to hearthings about Liverpool."

Written by Dorothy Griffiths from Ystradgynlais


your comments

Albert Hawkesworth NSW AustraliaMy brother and I were evacuated to Ystrad in The RhonddaValley. Train from Paddington. Met a troop train when lots ofsoldiers tossed gum and chocolates to us. I thin k they wereAmericans. I was about four or five and my brother wasnine. Billeted with a great family name of Davies I think.Had a Lassie Dog called Mick and we became very close. TheFather and two sons were Coal Miners. The Village seemedto be one main street with the school at the end. Seemed tobe on the side of a mountain. Very homesick at first butafter a couple of weeks had a very nice time. Returnedhome to Lon! don I thinl at the end of the War. Our hosegot bombed and moved into flats just down from LordCricket Ground. Collect Schrapnel and remember theV.E.Day parties in the flats. Tue Aug 25 15:10:11 2009

george holden,plymouthWe were bombed out of our house in Anfield Liverpool inOctober 1940,and evacuated to Capel Bangor,6 miles fromAberystwyth.Luckily we were taken in together My sister andme. It was a very small village all Welsh speaking, whichwas a big culture shock for all as our English was at besthardly understood by anyone outside Liverpool! We soonlearned enough to get by and can still speak a few phrases

now.We had no school in the village ,we all used the Chapelannexe. It must have been quite difficult for the Teacher asthe Evacuees ages ranged from 5 to 12. We seemed to playwith plasticine mainly an! d got very adept at making farmanimals.Most of the boys used to skip off when we heard atractor coming as it meant a free ride to watch threshing orsome other exciting activity, as no-one in the village owneda vehicle.Despite the fact that it was a very rural setting, nowater,gas or electricity in the cottages it still had a greatCommunity spirit.I have been back there a number of timessince,but after the cottages started to be modernised it lostsome of it`s old fashioned charm.I was there for 3 years,and could hardly speak english when I got back home! Ihave a lot more memories that I will share if anyone isinterested.Tue Jan 6 16:26:48 2009

lauren from yorkshire wow amazing story!!!Mon Nov 20 12:10:36 2006

John Higginson, Perth Western AustraliaHi Dorothy, I am Douglas's brother you have read his storyI was at the mill at velin pontbren Cross Inn. I too was 5when I came to Cross Inn. You are so right the Welshpeople weere so good to us. I don't long for the pool I longfor Cross Inn. Velin Pontbren mill is now rebuilt at themuseum at cardiff. Been down under for 46 years now. Willkeep in touch. Mon Aug 14 10:09:19 2006

Douglas Higginson, AustraliaHello Dorothy. So nice to see a similar story as ours, andcan understand the whole episode you went through. Did nothave the chance you had to stay. Emigrated to PerthWestern Australia 1963. Please read my story in this sectionunder Llwyndafydd days.

Douglas' story...

Cheers Douglas. Tue Apr 18 09:42:33 2006



BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

Coelbren EvacueeLast updated: 13 February 2006

After being evacuated fromLondon, Arthur Goodall livedin the Ystradgynlais area forfive years from 1940-1945. Hereturned to his home townwhen the war ended butretired to Powys in 1993. Hecame on board the BBC WalesBus in Ystrad in February 2006 to share his story.

"My first memory is of Sunday third September 1939, whichwas my 8th birthday. I'd just come back from Sunday schooland was told I had a chocolate cake for my birthday and mymother then telling us that something terrible had happened- that we'd gone to war with Germany.

Although I didn't understand much at that time, it had anawful impact on me. The impact came when my little brotherwho was only four years old and I were both evacuated toBrighton on the south coast. We were there from September1939 until July 1940.

When nothing of consequence happened, my mother decidedthat we ought to be in London with her. We went back butthen on 7 Sep 1940, the siren sounded and as I lived in thedocklands, we all had to get into shelters quickly. It was thefirst bombing of London.

I have very vivid memories of that day. We were sitting inthe shelter when the bombs started to explode outside.Shrapnel was hitting the shelter and women were screaming.

The raid ended and we came out. The whole place was onfire. Even the roads were on fire because they were madefrom wooden blocks to make sure that horses wouldn't slipwith their carts. The only way out from where we lived wasan alleyway through the docks. The men had torn the dockfence down for us to get through.

There was so much smoke and fire, we were going from oneshelter to another. In the final shelter, they gave us strips ofsheets dipped in water to wrap round our faces and ourheads.

We had an aunt living a few miles from our house so wewent there. That night, Gerry came back again and bombedbut this time we went to a shelter again under a church.

I distinctly remember coming out in the morning and seeinga distant fire with a bell hanging and fire burning from thetower. We were told that was the school that we would havegone to with the rest of the people who were evacuated.Several of our friends were killed in that school.

We never went home after. I never saw my home again until1945.

The day of the raid, we were sent underneath the railway




arches which run from London Bridge on the south coastrailway. We stayed under there for about a week and thenwe were told we were going to be sent hop-picking in Kent.

We were put on lorries and taken to a place near Tunbridgein Kent. The bombing started again and we had to hide undertrees until the raid was over.

We then went down to the hop field and we were given alittle hut which were going to live in. The Battle of Britain wastaking place above our heads and we could see the dogfights going on.

Another distinct memory I have is of a German plane comingdown in flames. It wasn't actually diving but gliding to theground. We saw people jumping out of the plane and menrunning to capture them.

We were in Kent for about 3 weeks and around October time,my mum said that we were going to go away again on atrain - we were going to a country where there were bigmountains. We were imagining big mountains like the ones inSwitzerland!

We were on the train for many hours, I don't know exactlyhow many, but I do remember that the train stoppedalongside a load of trucks which were full of apples (probablygoing to go for cider or something like that). We hadn't eatenat all so the bigger boys, my 16-year-old brother included,got through the windows of our train and on to one of thesetrucks to get apples for us to eat.

It was dark, it was October and it was very late but the WVSwere waiting for us in Cardiff when we arrived. They'd madesandwiches, cakes and drinks for us. Then we were put onbuses and taken to Hensoll Castle, which I believe was amental hospital.The patients had been moved out and wewere given the beds in the wards.

There was my mum and my little brother in one hospital bedand my sister and her cousins in another one. We were allcrowded into this ward for a few days before being put onbuses again and we arrived here in Ystradgynlais where theyhad a big party in the local hall.

After this party and a welcoming speech (from the mayorprobably), we were put on buses again and taken to theWelfare Hall in Coelbren. We were then taken home by thefamilies who had volunteered to look after us so we were allseparated again.

My mother and my little brother went to live on a farm. Mybrother and I went to live with Mr and Mrs Jones, and mysister went to live with a Mrs Davies.

My billet couldn't be faulted at all. My mother always saidthat I had been ruined because Mrs Jones was an excellentcook! I became picky about my food, she said, but in thosedays any food was good because it was rationed. We onlyhad limited amounts of it.

I had jobs to do. I always had to wash up after meals. Icouldn't leave the table after having a meal until I had beengiven permission to do so.

We always listened to the BBC Home Service at 9 o'clock.

Nine o'clock was a ritual. We sat and listened to the news tohear what was going on (incidentally that was the first timeI'd even saw a radio). My other job was walking on themountain collecting buckets of manure for the rhubarb andpotatoes.

When we'd been in Brighton, we only did half days school.We had to share a school with the local children so I hadonly done half-days in school for almost for a year and whenI went back to London in July for a few months, there was noschool at all. There weren't any teachers. They were all awaywith the other children so the vicar's daughter used to giveus lessons in the church hall. Because I wasn't able to tellthem what I was capable of, I had to have a test and theydecided which class I went into.

School was very hard. I never had so many canes in my lifeas I had in Wales. I used to dread drawing. I couldn't draw.If teachers caned children today like they did in my days,there would be problems.

Having said that, I didn't lack in education, I actually didquite well, although I had to return to London before I was14 but the education I got here helped me very well becauseI ended up with a very good job.

The teacher had a good reputation of turning out scholarswho went on to go to Maes-y-Dderwen Grammar. It wastraditional in those days.

I had lots of friends in the area. Of course I had a cockneyaccent which turned to Welsh accent (and that got me in totrouble when I went back to London). I made lots of friendsand we did lots of country things that I hadn't done beforelike going fishing, collecting conkers at Craig-y-Nos andcatching rabbits.

Going rabbiting with the men was quite exciting. I'd have toget up 6 o'clock in the morning and catch the train fromCoelbren to Crai. We'd get off at Crai and have oursandwiches and a bottle of water.

We would go rabbiting all day long and work from Crai toSennybridge before catching the train back. I used to haveone of the rabbits which supplemented meat rations and themen would take the rest to the pub and sell them for 12 anda half pence.

My job was to carry the nets and the rabbits. On the oddoccasion, we'd pinch a salmon out of the river although youweren't allowed to do that really.

Another clear memory I have is of collecting winberries(blueberries) which grew on the mountain. Mrs Jones used togive me a tin and I'd have to go up on the mountain behindBanwyn and pick berries. I couldn't go back home until thetin was full. When I came home, she used to make tarts andjam and things like that.

Saturday was another ritual. We used to catch the 5 o'clocktrain down to Seven Sisters to the pictures and a 9 o'clocktrain back. If you were lucky, sometimes the chip shop wasopen.

I can also remember the mines. I found a blacksmith inOnllwyn colliery and used to go down there when I could and

watch them shoeing the horses that worked underground. Igot so friendly with one of the blacksmiths that he made mea hoop and bachyn and I used to run from Coelbren toOnllwyn and back with my hoop and bachyn (hoop andhook).

So the memories of Wales are good and the reason I cameback here was that I was so happy as an evacuee whereas Iwasn't happy in London. It was very traumatic when I wentback to London. I'd lost all my friends. I was quite shy andhadn't been to a very big school since I was eight years old.

It was all very strange to me going back. There was no roomfor me to go to school when I went back so I had to go toan assistant teacher in the infant class where we lived. I wasalmost 14 so I went back to school for just over a week andthen left.

There are still lots of people in Coelbren who I know fromwhen I was a kid. They all knew me because I used to comeback for holidays etc. My sister married and stayed inYstradgynlais - she's got 5 children.

It was nice coming back to see all those people I knew. NowI am a bee keeper and I keep 20 hives of bees, which is aleft over from my evacuation to Brighton. The lady I stayedwith there kept bees and they must have impressed me insome way because I always wanted to keep bees when I wasolder."

By Arthur Goodall from Coelbren

Arthur on bee-keeping...More WW2 stories from Ystrad...

your comments

Mary Skevington S WalesLoved your article, wondering if you can remember thename of the blacksmith? My grandfather was one, his nameDavid (Davey or Dai) Price, unfortunately I never met himas he died before I was born. I'm researching and wouldlove to have any information.Tue May 5 14:23:05 2009



BBC Local

Mid Wales

Things to do

People & Places

Nature & Outdoors

History

Religion & Ethics

Arts & Culture

Music

TV & Radio

Local BBC SitesNews

Sport

Weather

Travel


North West Wales

South East Wales

South West Wales


Cymru

Canolbarth

Rations and the BlackoutLast updated: 17 February 2006

Rose Evans from Coelbrenwas a child when the SecondWorld War broke out. Sheremembers rationing andwatching Swansea burningduring the blitz. In February2006, she came on board theBBC Wales Bus in Ystrad toshare her story.

"I was born in Llwyncelyn and I grew up there till I wasabout 18 months old then we moved to Coelbren. My fatherwas in the army therefore he was in the war and I canremember as small children we had to do everything that ourparents told us. We weren't allowed past the doors after 6 inthe night because we'd show light going in and out of thedoor. From Coelbren, we moved to Banwen. I lived therewith my grandparents.

We were sitting out the front one night and there was a bigfire in Banwen colliery. Apparently they reckoned it was fromthe bomb that came down just above the colliery where theCrosses home had been bombed.

I can remember the big fires there. We'd often go up themountain to the winberry patch. We were coming back onenight and you could see Swansea being lit up like a ball offire. I didn't know it was Swansea until I told my grandfatherand he said "That's Swansea burning in the blitz."

I remember my grandmother taking my sister and I down toSwansea, and Swansea was all down, there was nothingthere really. But the amazing part of it was that the religiouschapels and the very old buildings were still standing as ifsomething had protected them from the bombing. For yearsafter, I thought of that: the feeling that something wasprotecting us from this war.

Our grandmother told us you mustn't go out in the night. Youcould hear the German planes - it was a different sound tothe British so you knew it was a German plane. We hadnowhere to hide; there was no shelter for us.

The only thing my grandmother used to do was tell us tohide under the big table which had a big blanket. We'd all beunder the blanket and table with a little candle andeverywhere was in darkness. Then you'd hear the sirengiving the all-clear and then we'd come out. We'd think we'dbeen under the blanket for hours. It was the most terrifyingexperience you could get in the war.

The day it was declared the war was over, I couldn't get overthe joy. What is this all about I thought? Then I realised thatmy uncles were in the war. I remember my grandfather usedto say we can be thankful for the little ships - those are theships which brought our boys home. There were a number of17-year-old boys from Banwen who went to war, and werenever to return.




There was fun for us during the war as well because wedidn't always understand what was going on. We didn'trealise it was a World War. My sister and I used to go downto Onllwyn to get sandwiches from the canteen becauseeverything used to be on the black market then. A lady fromCoelbren would be there waiting for us.

The canteen was in blackout and she'd say 'stand by therenow girls and I'll get things for you now'. For two shillings,we'd have a pile of bread and butter, a pile of corned beefsandwiches and a big tray of cake with jam and coconut ontop.

We used to walk back to Banwen in the dark thinking howlucky we were: we were getting food even though there wererations. I remember if we didn't have much, I used to eatcondensed milk in the sandwich. Another time, when wedidn't have much, we'd have sugar and currants in bread.

It was hard in many ways for the older people. Mygrandmother died aged 63 and she was an old lady. Mygrandmother looked years and years older then me. It'sbecause of the hard times they had.

The war did take its toll on the people of the time. We neverrealised until now what really went on. We didn't realise thedanger.

When the war finished, we had a huge bonfire and burnt aneffigy of Hitler - we thought it was like Guy Fawkes! Theywere good times, knowing that the war was over.

The war was an experience not to forget. You couldn't getfood unless you had your ration books and once your rationbook had run out, you couldn't have any till next month - youcould be waiting two weeks. We used to have 6 ounces ofbutter but they cut that down to four ounces. You'd onlyhave an ounce of cheese per person and children weren'tincluded in that.

We'd never seen bananas. I must have been 12 or 13 beforeI saw a banana. I had seen oranges but no other fruit, and Ididn't know what our veg was because as soon as the menwould do the allotment something would happen and they'dbe running for cover.

One woman she helped a German and he lived with her forabout 16 weeks and her husband didn't know he was livingthere!

We can just be thankful to God that we aren't living in itnow."

By Rose Evans from Coelbren.


your comments

BarbraI love your story a bit similar to mine. I' 86 now and I stillremember everything about the war and when we wereevacuated it was a very hard but fun time being evacuated

cause I missed my parents a lot but I still live my life to thefull I go clubbing partying bring it on.Sat Jun 9 17:29:31 2007

ConnieHello, I was just reading up on the wars and ran across thissite. I am 39 years old, an american and I'm justoverwhelmed of how it was then. It breaks my heart of howlife was for alot of people. How life is in general. We allthink we have it not so good, then you read a real true lifestory of a hard life and how you took the good times as achild out of them and made them wonderful. I love yourstory, it made me think alot and I would love to read more. Thu Dec 14 09:20:05 2006


goodes01

Typewritten Text

Archive Terms of Use This document is made available for archival or reference purposes and should only be used for private (non-commercial) purposes. These pages may contain materials or content which do not belong to the BBC and in particular materials or content which belong to members of the public whose identities may or may not be known. Whilst the BBC had the necessary rights, permissions and clearances to include and publish them as part of the former 'Where I Live' BBC website, the BBC may not have the right to allow users to use, copy or exploit them or to distribute them to others. No such usage is permitted and the BBC cannot process requests for permission to do so. For more information about deleted or discontinued web pages on the BBC, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/web/mothballing/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/web/mothballing/

bbc homepage wales home ww2 memoriesdownloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-ww2...from...

Documents