George Morris Loyn, Special Constable, 1940-44, Bronant area ~ part two

Second part of this blog on Special Constable George Loyn contains selected extracts from his police notebook, 1940-1944.

 

George Loyn with some of the pupils of Bronant School, photo kindly supplied by Monica Lloyd-Williams

For ease of reading this blog, entries have been very lightly edited and page numbers are not recorded, only dates given to trace progress through the war years in three main sections: 

1.    Planes
2.    Cars, Lights and Blackout
3.    Other Duties

SECTION 1 PLANES

The most interesting notes pertain to the presence of German bombers over the area, as in the following representative excerpts:

1940

July 23rd  Saw searchlights due East at 11.45pm – continued spasmodically till after 1 am.

August 11th  Saw a German plane, Junker 86 – troop-carrying type passing over from the direction of Ffair Rhos at a low altitude and travelling towards Mynydd Bach – as if going towards the Sea – due West. Time 12.15am approx.

August 16th  [This is the most substantial entry regarding planes:] At 11.10 heard the drone of a probable German bomber passing over from South to North – over Pontrhydfendigaid towards Aberystwyth.

At 11.20 heard the engine racing, and immediately heard three reports in the direction of Aberystwyth; the first report a little louder than the other two – which followed in a matter of seconds.  Had some suspicion that bombing was in progress. Superintendent D.W. Williams came along at about 12.35 in his car.  I then accompanied Mr Williams – with Inspector Davies, Llanddewibrefi as driver around the district. 

First to Lledrod – car stopped – three Special Constables on duty – they had heard 3 reports – explosions and had felt a tremor – direction of Aberystwyth. Stopped next at Llangwyryfon village.  They had heard the reports here – and somehow had discovered that 3 German bombs had been dropped and exploded in a field to the West of the New Cross Village.  

Continued on to Penuwch – pulled up smartly at the Cross Road by the Co-operative Stores. Constables here had heard 2 lots of explosions – one in the direction of Aberystwyth  and the other some time later towards Rhayader.

Proceeded to Bwlchyllan – on duty here – heard reports – but Sergt explained that he had not received action information sheet and did not know what actions 5 & 6 really meant.  I handed him my copy of Actions anticipated. Continued on to Hafod Cross Roads – 2 men on duty – then on to Llangeitho.  2 men on the Cross Roads and 3 men in the village on duty – had heard some explosions in the direction of Rhayader.

It was a very interesting experience and proved to me that the district was well guarded & patrolled.

August 17th  Moved on towards Blaenpennal Vicarage at 12.15. At 12.25 heard the drone of a probable German plane – moving from Lampeter towards Aberystwyth.  Patrolled the Vicarage Cross Rd – until 1am. Worked slowly towards Bronant – stil aero-plane [sic] noises in the distance – finished duty when the air appeared clear of all noises at 12.15am.

August 19th  On duty around Bronant – 10pm.  At 11.40 heard what seemed a German plane passing overhead in a Northerly direction. In about a quarter of an hour heard in the distance the report of a bomb exploding.  Soon heard the return of the same plane coming over the sea and crossing over Mynydd Bach and going inland – South East followed by two English planes – and travelling at a very fast speed – gave up the patrol at 12.45am.

August 29th  Heard the drone of German planes passing very high – from South to North – commencing at 10.5pm and passing over singly at intervals of a few minutes.  At least 6 passed. Later there was a plane circling over this district – at about 12.30am.

September 28th  Heard a plane at 10.48 flying southwards from the direction of Aberystwyth – soaring below Tregaron and then turning due North.  Heard the detonation of a bomb dropped by this plane over Pontrhydygroes.

October 25th  Several planes passed from South to North.  The hum sounded like that of German bombers. 8pm -10.30pm.

December 20th  Aeroplanes passing regularly practically every 5 minutes – travelling northwards from 6.50pm – till 8pm – they passed then less regularly – until about 10pm.  Took car for duty towards Llyn Eiddwen – Llyn Fanod – to see if anything had been dropped etc (10 miles) – and to see that no lights were showing.

1941

January 4th  At 11.30pm heard the drone of a plane overhead – travelling from the direction of Aberystwyth Southwards – towards Lampeter at a fair height. At about 11.35, heard the loud detonation of a bomb approximately in the direction between Lampeter and Llanwnen.  

1942

December 2nd  On patrol and looking out for lights around Bronant – and on Tregaron Road.  Many planes passed overhead – travelling from S.West to North East – inland from the sea.  Saw a light near Pentredu for a few minutes at 8.25pm.  

1943

January 10th  A plane seemingly heavily loaded passed from East to West – approx over or near Aberystwyth  at 11.45pm.

April 3rd  Planes passing overhead from East to West.  Saw some flashes in the distance inland towards the direction of Rhayader.

December 7th  An aero-plane (grounded at Tregaron) passed on the main road today, towards Aberystwyth and … the lorries had difficulty in travelling, owing to the narrowness of the road and overhanging trees.  It was a long time trying to pass near Berthdomled [stables], and traffic from Lledrod was diverted via Rhosywlad and Paddington. 

1944  [Final entry regarding planes:]

Jan10th  Patrol around Bronant and District.  Everything was still and peaceful – with an occasional plane overhead passing N.E. to S.West. 8pm-10pm.


SECTION 2 CARS, LIGHTS AND BLACKOUTS

‘Put that light out!’

Similar to today’s police force in the Covid-19 pandemic, the approach to rule-breakers in the war years was very much ‘inform, educate and persuade’ before stricter sanctions were considered.

1940

June  7th  At 10.15pm – a motor cyclist James Jones, Tynporth, Lledrod refused to stop – when called on to do so. Decided to report the offence to the Commandant, with a view to his issuing a warning.

June 17th  Saw a light showing at Tynresger Farm – issued a warning to Mr Io James.

July 1st  At 10.30 a car without lights came along, stopped it and reminded driver it was lighting up time. Identity Card and licence in order – he put on his sidelights as soon as he realised he had not done so.  Stopped 3 Motor Cycles.

August 30th  On duty at 9.45pm.  Visited some houses re lights – and at 10.10pm, saw a light coming from the outhouse at Ynys Farm.  On reaching the buildings we found a stable lamp, full light on in the barn with the door open.  We shouted and whistled, and as no one could be found, turned the flame down; and the lamp went out.

September  27th  Duty at Bronant from 9pm.  Went round looking if there were any lights to be seen through the black-out.  Found one window showing some light at Bronant Post Office.

September 28th  Warned one driver Mrs D Williams, Tregaron whose car showed too much light in the right hand side headlamp.

September 30th  Saw Mr R.O.Williams, Post Office and spoke to him with regard to the light from the bedroom window.  At 9.15 went on duty with Constable W.Williams and went up the hills to find out if any lights were showing – and found that there was still too much light showing from the Post Office bedroom window.

October 7th  On duty 8pm – in company of W.Williams: Saw lights showing from the windows of Gorwel Hall – warned the occupier Mr W Morgan, also warned S Oliver Ynysgochfach for light showing in the window above the door.  Stopped a horse and trap, without a light at 8.35. The driver Mr J.Jones, Brynda explained he had been detained etc. Told him to clear off the road without delay – and warned him that if we saw him repeat this driving without a light, he would be reported.

October 11th  On patrol with W.Williams, around Bronant, 8.15pm to 11.30pm. Found the “black out” very good in all houses along the road and up the mountain side.

October 25th  Attempted to stop a car – showing usual red light.  Car eased but put on speed and passed.  I think it was Dr ---------’s car – but will make further enquiries.

November 4th  Saw two lights outside on the mountainside – at Bronfynwent and Pantyroen.  It was clear the men were taking the lights to the stable or cowshed.  Lights showing off and on from 8.10 to 8.40pm.

November 18th  Warned Mr Dan Jones, Fronfynwent and W[illia]m James Tynresger of the outside lights showing at night.  Both promised to cover their lamps.

November 22nd  On duty around Bronant.  Saw a light showing on the river, but on arriving at the spot it had disappeared – looked as if there were poachers on the river, but could not trace them or him.

1942  [In this year George records various named residents breaking blackout rules; only a few examples are given here.]

November 3rd, 8th  Gorwel Hall – W Morgan – re light showing from the window above the door. Diffused lights showing through the Blackout at Gorwel Hall. 

November 25th  On patrol examining blackouts 9.30 to 11pm.  There was a little light showing at the Bakery, and on examining and fitting it closer to the window frame the blackout was effective.  The fire brigade passed at 9.40pm.

December 6th  Patrol around Bronant and District 7.30-8pm.  Saw a light from back kitchen at Ardwyn, and called to advise Mrs Morgan to have a more satisfactory blackout on this window at 7.40pm.

December 8th  Rather too much light was showing at Tanfordd – but when I reached the house the light was out – so I did not call.  Bus passed at 7.45 coming from Tregaron.  Home Guard car came to Bronant meeting local H[ome] G[uard].


SECTION 3 OTHER DUTIES

These included :  Delivering uniforms, gas masks, and ‘boot money; Collecting receipts, duty reports and rotas;  Checking ARP equipment in Lledrod and around;  Collecting respirators to fit new canisters; Registration of bicycles used by Special Constables; Delivering Service Gas masks; Arranging duty rotas;  Arranging meetings and lectures for constables which they were all expected to attend.

 

Photo from Aberystwyth Yesterday courtesy of Archifdy Ceredigion Archives

 

1940

September 17th  Phoned the Commandant – re rather suspicious character on the bus – travelling to Aberystwyth.  

September 30th  Met Sergt Davies Blaenpennal and informed him of the arrangements re photographing of the Constables in his area – the police-van to be at Blaenpennal Vicarage at 6pm on Oct 1st.

November 6th Took car to Penuwch & Blaenpennal to arrange and discuss duties – and to inform Sergt Lewis and Sergt. Davies of lectures to be delivered at Bronant School – starting on Dec.7th at 7pm.

November 25th and 27th  Heard from Supt. D.D. Williams that he urgently required the names of any Constables who were prepared to volunteer for duty as War Reserves in the bombed areas. Took car to Penuwch and Blaenpennal.  No one was likely to volunteer at Penuwch – failed to see any one at Blaenpennal – the vicar was not at home: Informed Supt D.D. Williams this evening.

December 31st  Final lecture of police course at Bronant Council School.  The Lampeter Police-Van had not brought the Penuwch and Blaenpennal men.  The Aberystwyth van brought the Lledrod men, arriving at 6.50.  I spoke to the driver and consulted P. C. Eben Jones Llanddewi-Brefi, who informed me there was no van at Lampeter.  Then asked the Aberystwyth van driver to take the van to Penuwch, and collect the Penuwch and Blaenpennal men.  He willingly went, and brought the men here by 8pm.  The lecture did not therefore start till 8pm.  At the end of the lecture the Aberystwyth van took Blaenpennal and Penuwch men home, and Constable D. C. Morgan took the Lledrod men home on his way.  

1941

January 4th   Use of car to deliver Mackintosh Coats to Penuwch.

January 11th  Blaenpennal – Penuwch Re dates of birth and National Registration Numbers of Constables.

1942

November 2nd   Sergt I Williams brought Duty Return and an enquiry re Duty in case of stray or wandering dogs. Informed him that he could hold the dog to find owner – and report the owner.

December 13th  Patrol to Rhos y Garth.  Home Guard erecting traps etc at Navy Hall Bronant – and near Moelwyn Bridge Lledrod.  

Christmas and New Year: only routine duties noted 24, 25 and 31 December 1942: patrols for 1-2 hours, ‘lookout for lights and sufficiency of black out’.

1943

January  6th  … to see Sergt. W J Davies to find out why the names of Constables John Evans and Rhys Williams had not been entered on the Duty Return Sheet.  He informed me that neither had come to see him or brought their returns.  Further Constable R. Williams had been ill, during part of December – though he was aware that R. Williams put in a considerable period of duty during most months.  He was doubtful though as to whether he kept a strict record of the duties he performed.  

Re respirators - Sergt. W J Davies informed me that R. C. Griffiths, Llangeitho had tested the Service Respirators in Blaenpennal and found all ie 5 in number in perfect order.  Sergt. Davies’ Respirator should be a little larger i.e. a large and not a medium.

January 15th  … to see Sergt Lewis re duty and reasons for absence from duty of his men during January.  Reasons were:

1.    Men in other districts did no duty
2.    Some resented the suggested hours for payment – which was then withdrawn
3.    Carelessness and not seeing the need for duty – when things were quiet.  


March 8th  To collect duty patrol return and to find out why Const. E H Davies, Williams and Hughes were not doing duty now.  The answer given was that they were disappointed with the withdrawal of the Subsistence Allowance.  I impressed on him the importance of his seeing them immediately, and to order them for duty in rota with his other men.

March 16th  Meeting at Penuwch CE School, the Commandant present, and giving a short address on the duty of Sp[ecial] Constables, especially to Penuwch Constables E H Davies, E Hughes and D Williams. Davies and Hughes undertook to show more diligence and faithfulness in the future. Williams was not present and I undertook to see him on the following evening – 17 March.

March 17th  Penuwch and on to Llanerchgoch to see Const. D. Williams. He said he had not received the Commandant’s lettter until this morning, though he had received a note from Sergt Lewis. He was at Lampeter Mart, and unable to be present.  He however undertook to restart his duties immediately and to show every faithfulness for the future.  I patrolled for 30 minutes and saw Const. E Hughes on duty.  

April 6th  For distribution of Service Ribbons to those men with over 3 years’ service on Dec.31st 1940.

May 22nd  I distributed 7 Respirators, so as to enable Sergt Lewis to give each Constable his Respirator – there being 2 marks on some – one on the haversack and one on the pipe of the Respirator.  It appears that when the Respirators were examined at Penuwch, several respirators were placed in the wrong haversacks.  Each was now place in the proper haversack.  5pm-9pm 19 miles.

May 29th  A crowd with bicycles at Lledrod corner – they were quiet and soon dispersed.  11pm -12.30[a]m.

June 7th  Aberystwyth  for Police Officer Group Photograph. 20 miles. 7-8pm 10pm-12[a]m.

July 20th… to interview
1.    Const. W Lloyd – as to reason why he was not on duty.  He promised to do duty – but had been very busy haymaking.
2.    Const. J. Jones – who gave the reason for non-duty as pressure of work.  He promised to do duty as soon as haymaking etc had finished.

October 28th  Tyncelyn – Penuwch to see Sergt. E D Lewis – re two of his men – Davies, Crynllwyn Mawr and Williams, Llannerchgoch, who are leaving to live in other districts. Patrol around Penuwch and to see Sergt. Lewis and collect kit from Constable E H Davies, Crynllwyn Mawr, who had been released from Police duties – on his moving to a larger farm in another district.  He had already moved when I was informed of his release and I was not therefore able to collect the kit. Llyn Fanod … delivering “Long Service Ribbon” to Constable Rhys Williams.

November 22nd  Patrol Lledrod, Rhosygarth … to inform Lledrod men of Police Lecture on 24th Nov – 8pm – P C Havard Llanilar would take men back – also to collect kit of E H Davies (Crynllwyn Mawr, Penuwch) who has removed to Gorglas, Llangwyryfon.

Collected kit and delivered it to the Commandant’s Office, Aberystwyth:
•    Whistle & Chain
•    Truncheon
•    Armlet
•    Field Dressing
•    Service Respirator
[But these are bracketed together with the note:] – missing. These may have been left at Penuwch.

December 28th  Patrol around Bronant – and around Ffoshelyg, calling at Ffoshelyg to see Miss Jones – re her brother who had been removed to the Police Station at Aberystwyth for the non-payment of a fined imposed on him by the Tregaron Magistrates for alleged cruelty to a mare.  She was very anxious that her brother be set free & became convinced that the fine would have to be paid.  I called up the Aberystwyth Police Station by phone, and got in touch with the prisoner’s nephew, who at 11.40 phoned me up that the fine had been paid.  Informed his sister of the result.  

1944

Jan 22nd  Forms from Consts. J Evans and Rhys Williams are not being sent in, and with petrol cut down I have no means of seeing them.

February 12th  Lledrod, Rhos-y-Garth and on to Gorslas, Llangwyryfon to collect remainder of Police Kit from Const. E, Davies (formerly of Crynllwyn Mawr, Penuwch) who had resigned from the Sp.Constabulary when he moved to Gorslas.

February 17th  Took remainder of the Police Kit to Special Const Office at Dolcarne – also duty sheet for Blaenpennal. The return givenby Sp Consts J Evans & R williams had no time entered on them – and consequently I was directed to see these men to enter the hours they were on duty for January. Also the Time Sheet for Lledrod showed – no duty done by Consts R Morgan, W Lloyd & James Jones and I was ordered to find out the reasons, if any, they had for not performing their duty.

February 17-18th [times given to show sequence of events concerning a Steam Roller]
(Feb 17th 9.30pm – 11pm) Patrol around Bronant. Found that the Steam Roller parked on Dolan Hill had no warning light.  
(Feb 18th  9am-9.30am.) Saw the driver of the Steam Roller – William Edwards and asked him why he had no light by the Steam Roller on previous evening. He informed me that the Surveyor Mr Ezed Evans, Tregaron had told him that no light was required.  I warned him that if I found the Roller without a light in future I would report him.
(Feb 18th  7pm-9pm.) Patrol around Bronant. Found that the Steam Roller had a light to warn pedestrians, cars etc.

February 25th  A lady – Miss M Evans, Llofft being reported as missing.  On enquiries she had gone as far as Llangwyryfon and on to Llandelyn, the home of her son.

Final entry p.80v, April 26th 1944.  There may well have been other notebooks but this is the one extant, kindly loaned to us by the family, Monica Lloyd Williams (George’s granddaughter) and her brother David Loyn.  See further the biographical notes separately provided.

pp.6/75 Tucked into the loose pages 6/75 is a newspaper cutting [screenshot below] of a parody of the poem ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’, changed to ‘The Charge of the Night Brigade’, which satirises the efforts of 640 Special Constables to apprehend rule-breakers, particularly those leaving lights on.  At the top is a handwritten note that it comes from the Cambrian News, January 10th 1941.  

The poem is a fitting conclusion to the list of duties faithfully recorded and carried out by George Morris Loyn, however routine and frustrating they must have been at times – one imagines that this poem must have struck a chord …

Heading: Wireless Whispers [by “Peter”]
The Charge of the Night Brigade  
(N.B. – There are 640 “Specials” etc, in Cardiganshire)

 

 

Blog by Lynne Blanchfield 

Acknowledgements

The family of George Loyn for making the notebook available to the project.  It has been a privilege to work with this valuable primary source.

Mrs Monica Lloyd-Williams (granddaughter) for checking and providing further biographical details, and for being the primary family contact.

Dr Susan Davies for checking and elucidating the handwriting details.