Aberystwyth ARP Wardens - part three

Here is the final part of our blog on some of the male ARP wardens. Watch this space for one on some of the female wardens over the coming months!

 

Photo/Llun: Archify Ceredigion Archives

 

 

BACK ROW (left to right)

 Thomas Islwyn Nicholas

Thomas Islwyn was born on 4th January 1903 the son of the famous poet, preacher and minister of the Welsh Independents at Horeb Chapel, Llandilo, Thomas Evan Nicholas. Thomas Evan was ordained on 6th Oct 1902, and continued to preach around South Wales, before going to live in Wisconsin for a year to continue his preaching. In 1903 the family returned to Wales eventually settling in Aberystwyth. Thomas Islwyn Nicholas married Mari Alice Rowlands in October 1926 and by 1939 became a dental mechanic in Aberystwyth, like his father and mother. In 1939 the couple lived at Glacoed, Elm Tree Avenue, Aberystwyth and by 1945 Thomas Islwyn was one of the ARP wardens of Aberystwyth.
He died on 7th August 1980 aged 77 years. 

 

Ernest John Haines

 

Ernest was born on 21st January 1909, the son of hotel worker John Haines. He served in WWI with the South Wales Borderers from 1914 to 1920. He married Edna Davies in January 1935 at Holy Trinity Church Aberystwyth and worked as a gardener. He was in the ARP in 1945 and lived at 6 Gogerddan Place, Aberystwyth. He died in 1962 aged 53 yrs.

THIRD ROW (left to right)

David Handel Morris 

 

David was born on 22nd August 1886 one of the large family of Margaretta and John Rees Morris who was a draper.  By 1911 David was an outfitter and lived 2 Princess Street, Aberystwyth.  On 22nd August 1917, on his 31st birthday, he joined both the Air Force and the Navy. The first ship he served on was HMS President and his last was HMS Turnhouse. By 1939 he was the owner of a drapers store and by 1945 he was an ARP Warden. David died on 8th February 1958 aged 72 years

Robert Henry Read L.A.R.P.  

Robert was born in Caernarfon in 1887 the son of journalist and author Henry W. Read.  He married Arabella in Cardiff on 8th September 1910 and by 1911 was working as a journalist.  By 1939 he was living at Myrtleville, St. David’s Road Aberystwyth, and was the managing editor of a newspaper.  He served in WWI with the Norfolk Regiment 7th Battalion from 1915 until 1919 and on 14th January1922 he was awarded the British War Medal. He died on 28th September 1947 aged 60 yrs.

Kenneth E. E. Thomas

 

Kenneth was born on 28th March 1893, the eldest of the five children of Thomas J. Thomas and Mary Thomas.  Kenneth’s father worked at the Government Dockyard in Pembrokeshire as a ship and engine fitter. The family lived at 16 North Street, Bufferland, Pembroke Dock.  In 1911 Kenneth was still living with his parents and family whilst he was working as a printer’s apprentice. Kenneth served in the Welsh Guards from 1914 to 1920 in the machine gun regiment. He married Mary Anne in 1929 and by 1939 he was working as an Inland Revenue Chief Inspector and lived at 1 First Avenue, Penparke.
Kenneth died in Cardigan in 1973 aged 80 years.

 

SECOND ROW (left to right)

John Davies Allen Ellis 

John was born 25th June 1866 in Lampeter. He married Mary Ann and had at least one son – David.
On 11th August 1914, David joined the Northamptonshire Regiment, but by 25th Sept 1914 he was discharged on health grounds. He then joined the South Wales Borderers, and was again discharged on health grounds. David sadly died on 13th May 1919 and is buried in St. Peter’s Church,Lampeter. In 1939 John lived at 6 Alfred Place, Aberystwyth and was a retired commercial traveller. He died on 24th Feb 1948 aged 82, outliving his son by 29 years.

Osborne Gwynnedon Stevens

 

Osborn was born in 1877 in Haverford West, the son of James Stephens, a builder from Pembroke. Osborne married Jane Ellen Richards on 20th December 1910 and in 1911 was a home painter.  He served in WWI, from 10th December 1915, in the Royal Engineers   He lived at 24 Pembroke Road Cardiff.  When the engineers were dispersed on 25th February 1919 he was awarded the Victory medal.   By 1939 he was living at 30 Third Avenue, Penparke. Osborne died in Aberystwyth in 1957 aged 80 years.

Joseph Salmon

            
Joseph was the son of railway engineer Joseph Salmon and was born on 16th March 1900. Joseph served in WWI with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers but was disabled. He married Hilda Cook in October 1925.   By 1939 he was Inn-keeper at the Cross Foxes, 17 Mill Street, Aberystwyth. In 1945 he was in the ARP and by 1965 had moved to 28 Queen Street, Aberystwyth. Joseph died at Tan-y-Bwlch, Hospital, Aberystwyth on 17th September 1965 aged 65 years.
 
 

Arthur Alexander Dykes

 

Arthur was born on 25the October 1887 and married Virginia Waters in 1920.  During WWI he served with the Battery Royal Field Artillery as a driver. After the war, he worked for the non-industrial Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. By 1945 he was living at 33 Third Avenue, Penparke, and was a member of the A.R.P.  Arthur died on 29the November 1968 aged 81 yrs.

 

Blog by Kath Phillips