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1913 ~ 1940 ~~~~~~~ We have gathered together here what we think are some of the most interesting entries in Griffith Thomas's diaries. Some are very sad indeed. But we think they are all historically important. They cover events at Rhiw, but there are quite a few from Llyn and beyond. The (Italics) are ours. ~~~~~~~~ 1913,
June, Friday 27 Unloading coal from the SS Lincolnshire until 10 pm. (Porth Ysgo)
July Friday 4 Salem chapel Pwllheli, has burnt down. Saturday 19 Loading SS Maddie 290 tons, from 7am 'til 3.30. Strike we want 4d a ton instead of 3d a ton when loading. Had our cards from the office whilst loading.
August, Friday 15 Eliza has gone to the bazaar at Aberdaron.
September, Tuesday 2 Went to fetch flour from Porthcolmon. (photo) October, Tuesday 14 Explosion at Senghenydd coal mine in South
Wales.
(The 439 dead included 63 teenagers and 162 young men in their twenties.)
November, Monday 10 Eliza and I go to Aberdaron fair.(photo)
December, Saturday 13 At Ty Croes Bach fixing the stable. Had 10/- and a pound of butter for doing the kitchen. Monday 22 First drill with Big gun 5/- (Coastguard)
1914,
January, Saturday 17 - The man from Bryn Awel, has had an accident on Lon Newydd. (They called the road from Nanhoron through Rhydyclafdy and on to Efailnewydd "Y Lon Newydd" "The New Road")
March, Wednesday 18 Lightning kills Wils sheep at Garth. Saturday 21 Constructing the bridge near the smithy at Nant Gadfen. Sunday 22 Went to see the effect of the lightning at
Garth. Monday 23 This year Rhiw sheep fetch from £1-12/- to £1-15/- each. (photo) Wednesday 25 Pwllmelyn has gone to town for a dog licence.
May, Friday 15 Everyone has gone to Sarn Fair. Friday 22 Gathering sand eels in the morning.
July, Monday 6 Pwllmelyns mare kills herself by running into a wall. Friday 10 Shift until 4, went home for tea then back to unload the coal ship all night. Pay £1-17/4d. Saturday 11 Unloading coal from the ship until 9:30am. The ship was called the Mary Goldsworthy. (schooner) Wednesday 22 Shift, unloading the Mary Goldsworthy. (photo)
September, Monday 7 Loading the SS Catherine, started at 5pm finished at midnight. (7 hours)
November, Friday 6 Put down snares at Bytilith caught seven rabbits. Thursday 12- Had 3/8d for the rabbits.
December, Wednesday 2 Strong winds for days.
Friday 18 Auction at the mountain top works. (photo)
1915,
January, Tuesday 19 An unknown ship is anchored at Graig Ddu. (Hells Mouth) Saturday 30 Inaugurated the policemen of Rhiw
(Watchmen for the coastguard) Owen Owens, Tyn Fron, Carreg Lefain and I,
Richard Roberts, Big Thomas, Pwllmelyn, Evan Salfur, John Talafon, Jones the
School or Dewyrth as he is known. (photo)
March, Sunday 14 Eliza is up all night with Ellen Llawenan who is gravely ill, she dies. Griffith Jones Groeslon also dies. Wednesday 17 Dick goes to town to buy coal. (The coal ships didnt come to Porth Ysgo in winter) Monday 29 No work the place is flooded. (Nant Gadwen, manganese mine)
May, Monday 17 Ellis W Davies and Hugh Pritchard are at the
School wanting people to enlist. (Looking for more canon fodder) Saturday 29 Brought in the net caught three bass and two plaice. Strong dry wind.
July, Saturday 10 Went to fetch the boat from Porth Ysgo to take it to Rhiw. (Rhuol) Saturday 31 Put the sails on the big boat, caught 8 mackerel.
August, Monday 16 Fishing caught 80 mackerel. Tuesday 17 Fishing caught another 80 mackerel. Saturday 21 Fishing Nedw, R E and I caught three score
and ten plus ten!!!
Tuesday 31 Fishing Robert Evans and I catch 200 mackerel.
October, Saturday 16 Went to Llangwnadl to buy candles four packs.
December, Saturday 18 Hugh Garth and I go to Llangwnadl to buy candles. Thursday 23 Hugh Jones and I go to Porth Llawenan in
the morning. (photo) Friday 24 Hugh Jones and I go to Porth Llawenan after work. Saturday 25 Went to look for driftwood in the morning. (Did a ship sink with a cargo of timber?)
1916,
January, Sunday 30 Thomas Tyn Llan finds a body at Porth Ysgo.
July. Saturday 1 - Clearing Rhuol in the evening. Wednesday 26 Bad news from France, William Ty Uchaf has been killed. (photo)
October, Wednesday 4 The traction comes to the mines. (photo) Wednesday 18 Eliza and mother go to town. Mother is fined for not having a licence for the cart. Thursday 26 Strong winds from the east blow down the haystacks at Penarfynydd.
November, Tuesday 7 Found a ships mast as driftwood.
1917,
January, Thursday 11 They bury Richard the son of Efail Rhos who came home with diphtheria. Saturday 13 News has come that Dafydd Pisgah has been wounded in France.
May, Tuesday 8 Laid a long line. (Porth Llawenan) Wednesday 9 Caught plaice and bass.
June, Saturday 2 Got a plank in Porth Llawenan 20 foot long by 4 thick and a foot wide. Monday 4 Got the plank from Porth Wyn below the mountain 32 foot long. Friday 29 Launched the big boat. July, Friday 6 Pay £2-18/-. Loaded Robert Jones Edeyrns ship the Tryfan. (photo?) Monday 30 Loading the Tryfan until half past eleven. Half nine until three.
August, Tuesday 14 A body is found below the cliff at Treheli.
September, Monday 10 Mr Hagans here about the cotton bale.
(Did a ship with a cargo of cotton sink near by?)
October, Saturday 27 Hugh Garth comes home from France.
November, Friday 9 Eliza and my Mother Margiad (photo) turned the cart over at Graig Ewig crossroads. Tuesday 13 - The Doctor resets Elizas arm. Friday 16 The doctor and nurse are here.
December, Wednesday 12 Mr Wright falls down the shaft at Ty Canol.
1918,
February, Thursday 28 Snowing. Catherine Mary, Tan yr Ardds funeral. She was 20 years old. (photo)
March, Friday 1 Mary Roberts Carreg Lefain Bach dies. Tuesday 5 John Roberts Carreg Lefain Bach dies. Saturday 23 Evan Williams and I go round the houses asking for support to get a house for the Rhiw minister.
April, Saturday 6 A boat and one person found at Aberdaron. (Body)
May, Wednesday 22 Loading the SS J J Monks 55 rounds. Stormy night lightning every second. Saturday 25 Loading SS Florence 60 round. Heavy rain. Monday 27 Loading SS Anne 66 round. Tuesday 28 Loading Agnes Ellen 300 tons started at three. Wednesday 29 Loading the Florence 200 tons. Clearing stone. (They load five ships at the Porth Ysgo jetty in a week)
September, Saturday 21 Went to get the boats up at Rhuol, very stormy, the sea gets into Tyn Borth. (photo)
November, Thursday 10 Isaac my son, and Evan Ysgo, find a body at Porth Ysgo.
December, Wednesday 25 An auction at the school to buy gifts for the soldiers.
1919,
March, Monday 3 Meeting at the school to raise money to get the soldiers some presents. Monday 24 Seen a mast floating and stuck at Porth Cwn. Tuesday 25 Got up early to go and see the mast at Porth Cwn, Shift 4til 12.
April, Sunday 27 Heavy sleet today. Shift 12til 8 blizzards as I went down. (To Nant Gadwen)
May, Sunday 4 Foggy Sunday. Capt Harry Parry my father in
law dies. (His ship was the Messenger) Thursday 8 Capt Parrys funeral.
July, Sunday 6 Unitarian meeting at Tan y Foel to give thanksgiving for peace. Saturday 19 Celebration tea at the school to mark the peace. Saturday 26 Came out on strike at the lower mines.
August, Monday 4 Hot weather. On Strike. Friday 8 Hot weather. On Strike. Tuesday 12 Fishing caught 260. Wednesday 13 Fishing caught 140. Tuesday 26 Went to Groeslon (photo) for a meeting with the Styb, settled to work. (They were on strike for a month)
November, Saturday 8 - Snowing. A thunderbolt hits Henllys,
Llanbedrog. Thursday 13 Freezing hard. Friday 28 Snow, a dark day had to light the lamp at two o clock. (photo)
December, Monday 29 Got some rope and driftwood from below the mountain.
1921,
April, Wednesday 27 Coal has finished due to the coal strike.
May, Friday 20 Went to Rhoshirwaun to get the unemployment money from Caradog Jones £1/15/0d.
June, Thursday 2 Fishing caught two wrasse. (photo) Saturday 4 LSA drill today. Hugh Jones gets the money for throwing furthest today 5/-. Friday 10 Received £2/0/0d from Siop Newydd unemployment money. Monday 27 Sent for a thousand envelopes and one book (?) 2/6d.
July, Thursday 7 Preaching at Nebo on the subject of the
closure of Penbwlch. (???)
August, Wednesday 17 In town looking for slates for the kitchen roof, at Ael y Bryn. (photo) Wednesday 31 In Pwllheli looking for slates for the kitchen roof.
September, Wednesday 7 Went to Porthmadog to look for slate. Thursday 8 Had word from Williams in town, that they have slates. Monday 12 - Went to town to fetch the slates. (!!!!!) Wednesday 14 Started roofing the kitchen. Thursday 22 Went to Aberdaron to enquire about a motor
(bus) to go to Nefyn. Sunday 25 Decided (In chapel) to take the Tocia bus to go to Nefyn.
October, Thursday 6 Bob, Nell and Morris go to the meeting at Nefyn. (On the Tocia bus!!!) Wednesday 19 At Meillionydd getting the honey and having a look at the quarry where stones that are being used to build Plas Newydd. Friday 21 - The traction comes to Ty Croes Mawr. Monday 24 Thrashing at Ty Croes Mawr.
November, Thursday 17 Building a toilet at Ty Croes Bach. Saturday 19 At home, making a seat for the toilet at Ty Croes Bach.
December, Saturday 3 John Griffith Pencaerau Shop dies. (Doctor of the wild wart) Sunday 11 Paid O Griffith 2/6d for my seat in chapel. (Annual) Tuesday 13 Everyone in front of the tribunal, at Pwllheli. Sunday 18 I fear that it was either side of this Sunday that my poor little Isaac was lost in the North Sea aboard the SS Stevenstone. (photo) Wednesday 21 Tedi, Gruff Pwllmelyn, Little Bob and Fat Ianto all receive 5/- unemployment money.
1922,
March, Wednesday 8 Went to town to see Arthur Owen. Bought
wood to make a new cart for Tan y Ffordd.
Tuesday 14 Everyone from work is at Shop Newydd trying to agree on a load. Friday 17 14 fine days. Saturday 18 Took the yearling ewes and the ram to the Comins. (Common land) Monday 27 Loading the SS Amy Summerfield seven til seven. (First ship after being laid off)
April, Saturday 8 Laying sleepers on the line to bring stone from Benallt. Tuesday 25 Shift in the yard at Nant bringing stone
from Benallt.
May, Friday 5 Finishing getting the stone from Benallt to Nant. Wednesday 24 Loading the SS Mary Summerfield. (Benallt stone) Saturday 27 Loading the SS Jessie Summerfield. Clearing Benallt stone.
September, Tuesday 19 It rained, heavy rain all through the night a lot of animals have drowned in Caernarvonshire and Meirionethshire.
October, Saturday 14 Went to Llangwnadl to the first committee meeting. (Co-operative)
1923,
February, Tuesday 6 Strong winds from the southeast the roof of the aisle at Tan y Ffordd is blown off.
March, Saturday 24 The Blind Harpist is playing in Aberdaron.
June, Tuesday 26 Shift carrying stone to Pwllmelyn hill to put along the road to Bodwyddog. (photo)
July, Monday 2 Shift finishing the Bodwyddog road. Saturday 7 Heavy thunder and lightning strikes Cilan chapel. Saturday 28 Visitors arrive today. (His first
holiday makers)
August, Saturday 25 Heavy rain. Nebo chapel trip to Barmouth. (photo)
September, Saturday 15 Went to Aberdaron to get gravel for the
chapel, the carts had gone far too early for the tide.
October, Thursday 25 Harry Thomas catches a pigeon in the smithy at Nant. Robert Sea View gets married. (photo)
November, Sunday 11 Sang Cofian Gwlad Benllywydd Tirion at the war memorial laid a wreath and had two minutes silence.
December, Thursday 6 Polling day.
1924,
February, Saturday 23 There is heavy smoke from the blaze on the mountain. Monday 25 Dry weather, the mountains are set alight.
December, Monday 15 Water forces us out of the lower level at Benallt. (photo) Wednesday 24 Extremely wet weather this week. Monday 29 Everywhere is flooded at Benallt.
1925,
January, Thursday 15 Two of the piles on the Porth Ysgo pier have broken.
(photo)
February, Saturday 7 Meeting at the school to discuss getting a hall for the village. Saturday 28 Bobs going to see the pictures at Aberdaron.
March, Monday 2 All of us at Benallt went to Nant to repair the jetty. Thursday 5 Shift came back up to Benallt. Saturday 14 Tonight we choose councillors for the parish council (Community) R Evans Penarfynydd. Rob Williams Moelwyn View. H Jones Terfyn, John Evans Terfyn Isa, Elis Jones, R Griffith Pwllmelyn, Griff Griffiths Tyn Lon. Tuesday 24 The co-operative shop at Rhiw closes. (?) Monday 30 March was a dry month all along.
April, Saturday 25 Ellen Erw moves from Salfyr Bach to
Bardsey.
May, Saturday 16 Supper in the school towards getting a village hall.
June, Thursday 18 Singing festival at Nefyn, Eliza and I go there, two Llanbedrog motors (Buses) go from Pisgah.
July, Wednesday 1 Hot weather no rain. Wednesday 15 - LSA practice in the afternoon I had the prize for throwing the lead furthest for the first time ever.
August, Monday 3 Eliza and I go to the National Eisteddfod at Pwllheli. Rain all day. (Nothings changed!!!) Saturday 8 Hebron choir win at the Eisteddfod. Rain all night. Saturday 22 Eliza and I go the flower show at Sarn. Monday 24 Fishing in the morning. Fishing in the evening, caught three wrasse one was nearly 5lbs. Tuesday 25 Sheepdog trials, at Pant field Penarfynydd.
September, Saturday 26 Morfa Mawr Barn goes on fire.
October, Thursday 22 Shift with W Jones Llyshyfryd dismantling the stage at Graig Ddu. (photo)
November, Thursday 5 Shift at Graig Ddu making way to get the wood up. Friday 6 Shift. Getting the timber to where the horses are.
December, Saturday 5 John Hughes Cae Forus, he used to live at Cadlan Isa was found dead on the roadside near Morfa Mawr.
1926,
January, Monday 11 Red mist this morning.
May, Monday 3 The coal strike. Cold weather. Tuesday 4 The railway strike. Cold weather. Friday 7 Cold weather, theres snow on the mountains of Eifionydd. (photo) Thursday 20 Took the cow to the auction at Sarn, sold her for £18/11/0d.
September, Monday Friday 13 to 17 - A wet week.
October, Wednesday 6 John Nant is injured with his motorbike. (photo)
1927,
January, Wednesday 19 A hot afternoon, an extremely hot afternoon. Wednesday 26 Paid Cowal 7/- for taking out my teeth.
February, Saturday 5 Tea at the school towards the village hall fund. Tuesday 8 Plas yn Rhiw auction.
March, Tuesday 22 Paid 3/- for a cwt of coal.
April, Wednesday 20 - The new headmaster arrives at the school.
June, Wednesday 29 Eclipse of the sun.
July, Monday 11 Loadig the SS Dayse (daisy) 340 tons. (This could have been the last ship to load at the Porth Ysgo jetty?)
August, Saturday 27 Play in the school this evening Trem yn ol.
October, Friday 28 Storm force winds bring down chimneys at Ael y Bryn, Bryn Difyr and damage them at the school and Carreg Lefain.
1928,
January, Wednesday 18 Shift. Rain today. Harri Thomas tells us
to come up from the mine in case it floods.
February, Friday 10 Strong winds bring down haystacks at Carreg Lefain (photo) and Tan y Foel E Jones.
March. Thursday 1 The famous ventriloquist from Talysarn is
in Aberdaron Eliza and I go.
April, Friday 6 No rain for days.
October, Thursday 11 The bull attacks Evan Rice Ysgo this morning. (photo)
December, Friday 7 Had a letter from Minafon Llangwnadl to say that there will be a meeting on Friday the 14th to discuss winding up the cooperative. Thursday 20 - Christmas tree in the school. Monday 31 Im here alone, the wireless in Shop Newydd
is everything tonight.
1929,
January, Friday 25 Had a letter from Tedi, telling me about the lamp that went on fire in Pisgah Chapel. (photo)
February, Saturday 16 Had a letter from Tedi Ael y Bryn to say that theres a lot of snow in Rhiw and the motors have been buried under it, no one has ever seen so much snow before. Monday 18 Theres heavy snow in Rhiw. Tuesday 19 Had a letter from Tedi and Jinni Pisgah to
say that Mary Ty Croes Bach was buried today, twelve men had to clear the road
to take her to St Aelrhiws church.
March, Friday 29 Planting potatoes. Its very warm, have taken my shirt off. Saturday 30 Finished planting the early potatoes. Exceptionally warm weather.
May, Tuesday 14 Theres a play at the school this evening.
June, Tuesday 11 Dr Jones has to call. (Dr Bobby) (photo)
September, Friday 20 Everyone gets the corn harvest early this year.
December, Saturday 7 Strong winds all week, many ships lost. Friday 20 Parish Council Meeting to discuss the road at Penrallt (Hells Mouth).
1930,
Thursday 2 John Owen Carreg Lefain dies, after having
an operation at Pwllmelyn. (He was 11 years old, and had the operation on the
kitchen table) (photo)
June, Wednesday 18 Caught eight wrasse on the poles at Porth Las this morning.
July, Sunday 6 Tom Nefyn is preaching at Rhoshirwaen.
September, Sunday 21 No one remembers weather this wet. Monday 22 The weather is exceptionally wet and affecting the harvest.
November, Saturday 8 - William Jones Llyshyfryds funeral at Nebo.
He fell down the hatch on his ship at Swansea.
Thursday 13 At Tyn Castell. Rolant Evans Syntyr has an accident with his motorbike near Crugerran (Sarn) and is killed.
1931,
April, Friday 10 RHT brings the wireless and sets it up. Sunday 19 Welsh Service from Llanelli on the radio.
May, Friday 8 LSA drill 5/-. Sea Views motor takes the equipment down for the drill.
June, Sunday 7 Earthquake at 2 am, many that were in their
beds heard it, and in other parts chimneys have fallen.
August, Tuesday 11 First sheepdog trials at Blawdty. (photo) Monday 17 Rolant (Penarfynydd) has gone to see the policeman to get the papers to take the lambs away. (Nothing changes !!!!)
October, Tuesday 27 Election day. Pound of butter 1/4d.
November, Saturday 14 Rain all day and it was exceptional Ive never seen such a flow before. Monday 16 Penarfynydd. Rolant Tyddyn Morthwyl starts his term on the farm. (He worked there until his death in 1973) (photo)
1932,
February, Thursday 11 Edmunds shows pictures with the magic lantern at the school. Saturday 13 Pound of butter 1/-. Thursday 18 Pound of butter 1/6d.
MarchWednesday 2 Pound of butter 1/8d.
April.
Saturday 2 Pound of butter 1/9d.
August, Thursday 4 Aberdaron Regatta. (photo) Wednesday 24 Two men come about the wireless.
September, Wednesday 28 In town today had a £1 fine for not having a licence for the radio.
December, Saturday 3 - A new newspaper called Y Cymro comes out for the first time. Thursday 8 Went to Porth Ysgo to keep an eye on the
ship that was anchored in the bay. (photo) Saturday 24 Boiled the pudding at Tan Ffordd.
1933,
February, Friday 24 Heavy snow I couldnt get further than Ty Fron as I tried to get to Cadwgan. Sheep have been buried under the snow. Sunday 26 - Everyones snowbound so they cant get to the chapels today.
May, Saturday 13 Paid, 6d for the Cymro. Monday 29 Spent the day blocking up the shaft at Benallt that Ty Croes Bach's mare fell down.
June, Tuesday 20 Griffith John Llyshyfryd runs into a lorry near Tyn Lon with his motor bike, hes not badly hurt Tudwal is injured more, but it could have been far worse. Wednesday 21 The funeral of the three brothers that drowned below Trefgraig land Llangwnadl, at Hebron, chapel its the biggest funeral ever seen around here.
July, Monday 31 Time for the wireless licence at Tan Ffordd.
August, Tuesday 8 Sheepdog trials at Ty Croes in the afternoon. Thursday 10 Aberdaron Regatta. (photo) Saturday 26 Got a call from the Watch at 10.30 pm W Owen Bryn Badells motor boat is missing, but is found later in Porth Neigwl having run out of petrol.
September, Friday 8 Thrashing. The well has dried up at Conion, its exceptionally dry. Monday 11 Richard starts to carry water from Pants well. Saturday 16 Its been an extremely dry week and theres no sign of rain this evening. The wells are drying up everywhere.
1934,
February, Saturday 24 Rain, the first time this month.
June,
Thursday 28 Oswald Griffith is stuck on a rock at Porth Llawenan as the sea comes in and surrounds it. (The rock is still called "Carreg Oswald" Oswald's Rock to this day)
July, Wednesday 25 Bodwyddogs
bull attacks Griffith Ty Canol.
OctoberMonday 1 Got some timber from Porth Llawenan some good planks.
1937,
February, Sunday 28 Snow and cold winds. Strong gales last night brings down the telephone.
March. Monday 1 Put corrugated iron on the aisle at Rhiwlas, the wind had blown it off. Wednesday 3 At Ty Croes Bach repairing the stable
roof. Saturday 6 At Pwll Melyn repairing the cowshed roof.
April, Monday 5 The Air Force start today at Penrhos.
December, Saturday 11 Theres been a terrible rail accident in
Scotland on the line from Dundee to Glasgow, snow had bought the train to a halt
and the express train ploughed into it, 24 have died.
1938,
January, Friday 14 News that the son of Talcen Foel has died after having an accident with his bike on the Bodernabwy bridge, Aberdaron. Saturday 15 Gale force winds and the high tide runs through the village of Aberdaron. (photo)
June, Monday 20 Lewis and I go to town with Miss Hughes in her car to see the man about drawing up the plans for the village hall. Tuesday 28 Everyones gone on a trip to Rhyl. Stormy and wet all day.
July, Sunday 17 Went to Dublin today. August, Thursday 11 Nell, Laura and the children go to the regatta at Aberdaron. (photo)
September, Sunday 4 Thomas Ty Mawr has an accident with his bike near Bryn Ffoulk and dies.
October, Tuesday 4 The hay barn at Tan Ffordd is blown over in the gales, many houses in the village suffer damage also. Tuesday 11 Two aircraft collide above Trefollwyn, three men are killed. 1939,
August. Wednesday 2 Penboncyn chimney has fallen. Monday 7 Everyones gone to Porth Oer to the Regatta. (Photo) Monday 28 Fitted for a gas mask at the school.
September, Monday 4 Got my gas mask at the school.
December, Monday 25 The children sing at the Sarn Eisteddfod.
1940,
January, Friday 19 Snowing, thick covering of snow. Saturday 20 Snow, its difficult to go down to the coastguard hut. Cleared the snow, looking for sheep that have been buried. Sunday 21 Thick covering of snow, no sign of a thaw, its bad on the sheep. Tuesday 30 Poor little Jane Ty Rhyd, has died from her injuries, having had an accident at Meillionydd, in which she got burnt. (photo) *********** Diary's from Mr E Morris, thank you very much. |
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