Ron and Val Williams summary

Summary of Oral History Mr. (b 1933) & Mrs. Ron Williams of St. Thomas, Swansea recorded 23/06/2014

  • Memories of Lamb’s Row, Foxhole pre 1939
  • White Rock ferry crossings for birthday parties/shopping
  • Grandfather, Jonah Williams foreman White Rock Lead & Silver Works, Cupola furnace expert
  • Standpipes for domestic water
  • Father unemployed for 6 years, occasional work only
  • Construction of West Pier
  • Coal theft … incident … neighbours clubbed together to pay 20/= fine
  • Cwm School bombed … war time recollection of bombing/incendiaries/Anderson shelters/collecting scrap
  • Working at Dyffryn Tinplate Works as a ‘Behinder’… wages … occupations/techniques/work practices on the Mill/promotion system
  • Work and life in Merchant Navy out of Swansea in late 50’s … stints away/wages/occupations/Suez crisis/Examination system Board Of Trade
  • Very busy Swansea Docks … ships anchored, waiting off Mumbles, to dock
  • Managing the Cornish Mount from 1946, Seamen’s pub on Strand … Naval Depot … ladies of the night … wartime beer supplies
  • St.Paul’s Church and Rev. Leon Atkin, well respected arbiter
  • Madame Patti … Isolation Hospital
  • Working at Ford Motors Axle Plant from 1964 … frequent ‘walk outs’ … agitators … wages
  • Entertainment … Swansea Dance Halls
  • Fatality building Cefn Hengoed School
  • “Always had a job …”

tjp 24062014

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