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Miss Laura Myfanwy Jones (1890-1993)
On Wednesday
morning 18 August 1993 in Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool after a
short illness of fifteen hours, Laura M Jones, 14 Calderstones
Road, Allerton, Liverpool 18 died. The funeral took place on
Monday morning 23 August in Bethel Presbyterian Church of Wales,
Liverpool 15 and then at Springwood Crematorium. In my eulogy to
her I emphasised three aspects of her long life, as the oldest
Liverpool Welsh citizen of our generation. After all with the
assistance of church friends and private nurses she was able to
live on her own at her home to the grand age of nearly 103.
Her roots in Liverpool
Laura M Jones had deep roots in the Liverpool Welsh community. She
was born to Welsh speaking parents at Tiber Street, Toxteth on 2
October 1890. Her father William Jones hailed from Caernarfonshire,
as well as her mother who came from Bryncir near Garndolbenmaen.
She, Laura Jones Roberts, was a matriarch, in the true sense of
the word, and died in 1956 at the grand age of 95. They were a
closely knit family, the eldest Richard died on 1956, Nell who
died in 1953, Margaret who died in Calderstones Road before
Christmas of 1973 and Winifred Ann Jones, an enthusiast for the
Heathfield Road Chapel after she joined us from Smithdown Road
Welsh Presbyterian Chapel called St Columba’s in 1989. She died on
Good Friday leaving Laura to carry on at the welcoming home for
another 4 years. They were a family of six children, for Elizabeth
Ann died as a baby of eleven months in 1889, a year before the
birth of Laura Myfanwy Jones.
The Welsh Presbyterian chapel of Webster Road (off Smithdown Road)
in Wavertree was their spiritual and social home. She received
great encouragement from the minister, Reverend William Owen (who
was minister from 1896 to 1915), who allowed her to borrow books
from his well stocked library. Another good man who gave her a
great deal of assistance, was the lay missionary amongst the
Welsh, John Evans, Beaconsfield Road, Cromby in Toxteth, who spent
his life visiting Welsh patients in Liverpool hospitals, before
she went to St Mary’s Church of England Training College in
Bangor, Gwynedd. She was a Sunday School teacher on a class which
included her younger sister, Winifred Ann. Welsh Presbyterianism
was her lifeblood, and she received tremendous substance from the
hymns, in particular those written by William Williams (1717-1791)
of Pantycelyn. Two of them, ‘Fy Nuw, Fy Nhad, Fy Iesu’ (My God, My
Father, My Jesus) and ‘Iesu, Iesu, rwyt ti’n ddigon.’ (Jesus,
Jesus, thou art everything) was sung at her funeral. As she grew
older she showed more and more allegiance to her Welsh roots,
escaping often in the 80’s in her memory to the community of
Webster Road and the Welsh heartland of Bryncir where her
grandmother lived. She was very much like her grandmother, who
lived until she was 99. It was through Nain Bryncir that she met
the young politician David Lloyd George, from nearby Criccieth, on
Bryncir railway station. He gave her sixpence in her hands. She
treasured it through the tumultuous days when Lloyd George led
Britain in the First World War.
Her contribution to the world of education in her native city
Her contribution to primary education in Liverpool was immense and
far-reaching. When she left St Mary’s College in Bangor, her
father died. It was 1913, that is on the threshold of the First
World War. She and her brother became the breadwinners. In a short
period of time she climbed the educational ladder, as a superb
teacher, then deputy headmistress, and finally as headmistress.
When they opened Finch Lane Primary School in Roby in 193 she was
given the task of leading a brand new school. She did it with
style. It was of no surprise to those who knew her that Liverpool
Corporation appointed her as an Educational Adviser, and she
fulfilled her duties in visiting schools, and in recruiting young
students from the training colleges of Bangor to teach in
Liverpool schools. The end result of this was to enrich the Welsh
community of the city for generations.
Her own resources as a kind, considerate, enlightened and
committed Christian
She had so many resources at her fingertips. A remarkable memory
for individuals, historical incidents, and genealogical details.
She had a lovable disposition. In her youth and middle age she was
an extremely good looking person who dedicated her whole life to
the profession, her family, and her Welsh religious community.
Everyone of us who spent time in her company felt better after the
experience. She was without any doubt the anchor of the family,
none of whom got married, which was a loss to the Welsh community
Liverpool. She faced the last lonely years of her life with utmost
serenity. Laura M Jones had a strong faith. We the Rees family,
who only lived a hundred yards from her, was her constant support.
One of us would visit her every day of the week. She depended on
us to do the arrangements for her helpers. She received help from
kind neighbours, old school teachers, and Mrs Marged Jones of
Birkenhead like the Merseyside Welsh chaplain, Rachel Gooding took
their time at her home. Between us all we had a wonderful network.
She died as she lived with dignity. Not often we have the
privilege of meeting such a charming, kind, good person as Miss
Laura M Jones. We were blessed to have known her in her old age as
were those who were taught by her as well as those who were pupils
at the primary schools under her care. This is a tribute to a
woman who combined so many qualities as I noted in my tribute in
Welsh printed in Angor (Volume 15, No 6) November 1993, page 1.
D Ben Rees
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Thomas Irwedd
Vaughan, Birkenhead
Thomas Irwedd Vaughan came in 1936 from Llanfair
Talhaearn in Denbighshire to work in the Cammell Laird Yard in Birkenhead, and
for the next 63 years he became an integral part of the Welsh community on
Merseyside.
A son of a farming family who lived at Melai, Llanfair Talhaearn, he was from
his young days interested in engineering. For 45 years he worked as marine
engineer and when he retired in 1981 he was a foreman with Cammell Laird.
Immediately on his arrival in Birkenhead, Irwedd as he was known became an
inspiration to all those who loved music as a tenor and also a conductor of
concert parties and choirs. He became heavily involved with the Welsh Baptist
Chapel of Woodlands in Birkenhead. Appointed a precentor in 1946, and then in
1853 a deacon, he served the chapel faithfully until it closed its doors in
1982. Then he became a valuable member of Noddfa Welsh Methodist Chapel in
Bebington where he again was asked to be a precentor. Irwedd Vaughan gave of
his best to the Welsh Free Church Council of Birkenhead as well as to the
ecumenical Sunday School movement in the town.
He was one of the pioneers of the Birkenhead Welsh Society when it was
established in 1961, and served on two occasions as President. In 1989 he was
honoured for his labour of love to Welsh culture when he became a member of
the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales held that summer at
Llanrwst. His wife Megan was a native of Birkenhead. She was a product of
Parkfield Road Welsh Presbyterian Church, and they were blessed with three
children, Sian, Olwen and Glyn. Irwedd Vaughan died on 22 February 2000 and
his funeral took place on 2 March at Salem, Laird Street, Welsh chapel and
then at Landican Crematorium.
D Ben Rees
(Based on a
tribute in Welsh by Walter Rees Jones in Angor, Volume 21 No 21) May 2000,
1-2.
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Mr Trevor Humphreys, Allerton (1917-2009)
Trevor Humphreys was the product of
the Welsh community Garston, and he was born on 10 May 1917 at
227 St Mary’s Road. His father, Owen Humphreys, hailed from the
Beddgelert and Nantgwynant area and his mother from Tregaian in
Anglesey. His father’s brother was also an activist in the Welsh
Presbyterian Chapel in Chapel Road, Garston. The son was
therefore brought up in the Welsh atmosphere of the home in St
Mary’s Road and in the Chapel, and through Chapel activities he
met his wife to be, Mari. She has recently been in Whiston
Hospital for a long time, but has now moved to Arnside, and
belonged to Princes Road Welsh Chapel at the time.
Trevor suffered in his childhood from periods of illness. He
contracted pneumonia on three occasions. It meant him having to
stay in bed for a whole year, missing schooling at the Gilmore
School in Heath Road. He was fortunate in the excellence of his
family doctor, Dr Richard Humphreys of Grassendale. Leaving
school at 16, he went to work in the Garston Docks Office of Hulton Colliery, which was part
of the Lancashire Coalfield. The
Second World War interrupted his career, and he joined up in
1940, and was transferred to the REME. He served in North Africa
and Italy. His
life was saved a second time when a bullet from General Rommel’s
men hit his helmet and was deflected away. Like others from
Garston Chapel his time in the Army ended in Italy, where he
enjoyed the opportunities of seeing operas in Milan and Naples
as well as visiting the attractions of Rome. He was allowed home
for seven days in 1942 and at this time he married Mari in
Princes Road Welsh Presbyterian Chapel. When he came home from
Italy, the couple lived for a while with his wife’s family in
Aigburth, and their son David, who lives in the Lake District
and who has recently retired as a Dental Surgeon, was born.
After moving to 68 Melbreck Road, Allerton, where he and Mari
lived until last year, their second son John, who has just
retired as Vice Chancellor of Greenwich University, was born.
The two sons thought the world of their father and were grateful
for the chance to provide loving care for their parents in the
twilight of Trevor and Mari’s days, and indeed over the years.
Trevor settled at the same job again at Garston Docks after the
war effort, in the same industry, and eventually became, after
nationalisation, an important person locally in the National
Coal Board. In the early sixties he had to move for the NCB to
Doncaster, but refused to leave the city of his birth. He would
travel every week, staying from Monday until Friday in
Doncaster. He was called, because of his vast knowledge of the
coal industry, a ‘Welsh Wizard’, the same term that was given to
Lloyd George when Prime Minister. After two years, he was
promoted to an excellent post in the India Buildings, Liverpool
as Chief Administrative Officer. It was now very convenient for
him to travel from West Allerton Station to St James Station in
the city every working day.
Trevor Humphreys was a proud Welshman. S4C was very important to
him after his retirement and he thought the world of Wales as a
country and nation. After buying his first motor car, a Ford
Anglia in 1956, he travelled regularly to Caernarfonshire and
Anglesey. His family had been pioneers of Bethania Chapel,
Nantgwynant and he was called in the Melbreck neighbourhood ‘The
Squire of Anglesey’. Some even suggested that he was going to
collect the rents as he visited the old country so regularly!
Sometimes he would travel in a day from Allerton to South
Ceredigion and back, to visit farming relations.
He lived to a good age and was proud of his son’s achievements,
as he himself placed a great deal of emphasis on education. For
all his life he gave commitment to the Trade Union Movement like
his father before him. He enshrined the slogan of Darwin –
‘survival of the fittest’ and lived a full life. On a wintry
day, 13 January 2010 his funeral was held under my guidance as I
had known him for 40 years. The thanksgiving service was held in
Garston Park (URC/Methodist) Chapel, Island Road, Liverpool.
The organist was Ralph Dransfield, and a reading in Welsh as
well as two fitting tributes by his sons were given at the
Chapel, before he was laid to rest in the Welsh section of
Allerton Cemetery, quite near to the graves of his father and
that of the Welsh builder, J W Jones. An opportunity for
fellowship at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Speke followed where we
saw photographs and interesting documents, including a poster
that Trevor had designed for a St David’s Day Celebration in the
1930s for Garston Welsh Chapel held at the Masonic Hall!
D. Ben Rees.
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Hughes, Robert Arthur (1910-1996)
A medical missionary in Shillong, India and an influential Welsh
Presbyterian Moderator. Born, he and his twin John Harris Hughes
at Oswestry on 3 December 1910, the sons of the Reverend Howell
Harris Hughes and his wife Mrs Annie Myfanwy Hughes (nee Davies),
a native of Garth, near Llangollen who served as a headmistress in
Rhosllanerchrugog. The family soon moved to Bangor and in the
Garth School, both sons, had most of their elementary education.
From Tabernacle Chapel Bangor the father received a call to the
Welsh chapel of the Presbyterians at Waterloo in north Liverpool,
and they received their education at Christchurch School in
Seaforth (1921-1925) before moving to Llandudno and the John
Bright School.
He had a distinguished period as a medical student in the
University of Liverpool from 1928 to 1933, and he was one of the
ablest students of his generation. He received the Gold Medal for
surgery as well as other awards. Appointed a surgeon under Mr
(later Professor) O Herbert Williams as well as an assistant to Dr
(later Professor) Norman Capon at the Royal Southern Hospital.
He was invited to be the John Rankin Fellow in Human Anatomy at
the University before serving for two years at the David Lewis
Northern Hospital as a tutor and surgical registrar, before he
offered his services as a medical missionary on the Khasia Hills
in North East India. He was accepted by the Missionary Board of
his denomination and he decided to equip himself further by
gaining a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and further training at the
Radium Institute and Mount Vernon Hospital in London.
At the David Lewis Northern Hospital in Liverpool he met a nursing
sister Nancy [Ann Beatrice] Wright of Heswall, who became his wife
on 7 January 1939. Both then sailed on 28 January 1939 from
Birkenhead to Calcutta. He began his lifework on St David’s Day
1939 at the Welsh Mission Hospital in Shillong as assistant to Dr
H Gordon Roberts. He took responsibility for all the wards, with
Dr H G Roberts in charge of the administration until his
retirement in 1942. Then Dr R A Hughes became the Senior Medical
Officer, the administrator, as well as the finance officer. He
gave substantial medical assistance to the wounded on the Kohima
to Diampur – the famous Burma Road – comforting the refugees who
were in desperate conditions escaping from the Japanese soldiers.
Between 1942 and 1945 he dealt with thousands of soldiers and
officers from all over the world, including a substantial number
of Welsh soldiers who had to be treated in the Shillong hospitals.
Dr R Arthur Hughes became the liaison medical officer, between the
British Army and the local authorities in the Assam region.
Under his guidance the Welsh Mission Hospital of Shillong became
one of the most important hospitals in the Indian sub-continent
with patients flocking for treatment. Among these patients there
were Government Civil Servants, entrepreneurs from the tea
plantations of the Assam plain as well as Cachar including their
families, and middle class people from as far as Calcutta. These
patients were the chief source of finance for the hospital,
allowing him and the staff to offer high medical and surgical care
and opportunities for the poor Khasi folk who often would walk on
foot 100 miles one way to receive treatment.
His daily schedule was long, twelve hours a day from Monday and
Friday as well as a clinic on Saturday mornings. On Tuesday and
Thursday he would be involved in the hospital from 7.30 in the
morning until 10.30 at night. His surgical assistants were few,
and he never had help from a medical person, while he was on the
mission field, belonging to the Connexion though he made a number
of pleas. He realised that the only answer as to train the Khasi
nation to do the work. This was an important contribution of Dr R
Arthur Hughes.
He was a pioneer in North East India who achieved remarkable
change through his pamphlets fro public health and his initiative
in tackling diseases such as malaria and typhoid. He began an
extensive research to the medical condition of inaccessible
villages in the Bhoi area, and persuaded the authorities in Delhi
to sustain a campaign to conquer malaria. Dr Hughes established an
itinerant pharmaceutical service with a jeep visiting the markets
in the towns within reach of Shillong.
He gave substantial service to the Presbyterians in Shillong, and
on Sunday he and his wife were heavily involved. Elected an elder
in 1944 he was involved in religious education. In his work he was
extremely caring for the needs of his fellow missionaries when
they were ill, as well as missionaries belonging to other
nationalities and churches. His son John brought joy to the home,
and he also followed the footsteps of the family as a medical
practitioner and in 2007 was ordained as an Anglican priest in
Cheshire.
A farewell service to him and Nancy Hughes was held on 16 May 1969
when the Khasi hill people came to pay their tribute to one who
was known as Schweitzer of Assam. He returned to Shillong in 1984
as well as in 1991 on the birthday of the church (150 years), and
he had the opportunity of addressing a huge crowd reckoned to be
150,000 strong.
Dr R A Hughes made his home in 1969 in Liverpool, a city where his
father had been born, and where his grandfather and the family
lived in the Dingle in the nineteenth century. Appointed as
Academic Sub-Dean of the Medical Department of the University of
Liverpool in 1969, he retired in 1976. He gave sterling service to
the Presbyterian Church of Wales, elected an elder at Heathfield
Road Chapel, Liverpool 15 in 1971, became Moderator of the
Liverpool Presbytery, Chairman of the Elders’ Meeting of the North
Wales Association in 1982-3, and Moderator of the General Assembly
in 1992-3. Considering that he suffered from angina, he never
missed a committee during his year of office, or an invitation to
visit other denominations and churches. Though he had a weak
speaking voice and as he admitted was much more fluent on his feet
in the Khasi language than in Welsh or English, he made himself an
endearing leader. Like his father before him he was a convinced
absolute pacifist who took an abiding interest in the Peace
Movement. He served as a trustee of the North East India-Wales
Trust, and his contribution was always positive and useful.
He died on Saturday morning, 1 June 1996 at the Cardiothoracic
Hospital, Broadgreen, Liverpool and the funeral service took place
at Bethel Chapel Heathfield Road, Liverpool 15 on 10 June 1996 and
afterwards in Springwood Crematorium. His ashes were dispersed by
St Tudno’s Church on the Gogarth Llandudno. A Robert Arthur Hughes
Memorial Lecture was arranged by the North East India-Wales Trust
in Liverpool between 1997 and 2007 and six were arranged. The
first three lectures were enlarged and published in a volume under
the title The Call and Contribution of Dr Robert Arthur Hughes
OBE, FRCS 1910-1996 and some of his predecessors in North East
India (Liverpool 2004).
D Ben Rees
D Andrew Jones, ‘The Mission Understanding of Dr Arthur Hughes’
[in] The Call and Contribution of Dr Robert Arthur Hughes OBE,
FRCS 1910-1996 and some of his predecessors in North East India
(Liverpool 2004), 42-72; D Ben Rees, ‘The Doctor with a Mission’,
The Guardian (14 June 1996); D Ben Rees, ‘The Life and Work of Dr
R Arthur Hughes, OBE, FRCS’, [in] The Call and Contribution of Dr
Robert Arthur Hughes, OBE, FRCS 190-1996 and some of his
predecessors in North East India (Liverpool, 2004), 11-38; D Ben
Rees, ‘Robert Arthur Hughes OBE, FRCS’, 75th Anniversary,
1922-1997, Their Vision, Our Legacy. The KJP Synod Hospital,
Shillong, formerly known as the Khasi Hills Welsh Mission Hospital
(Shillong, 1997), 51-55.
READ Chapter One of
The Call and Contribution of Dr Robert Arthur Hughes OBE, FRCS
1910-1996 by D Ben Rees
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