Following on from the last post, we’ll have a look at S O Davies’ predecessor as Merthyr’s Member of Parliament – R C Wallhead.
Richard Christopher Wallhead (he later changed his middle name to Collingham) was born in London on 28 December 1869. He was educated at St Edward’s Elementary School at Romford before beginning his career as a clerk with the Great Eastern Railway. He then re-trained as a decorator and designer.
Remembering some of the privations of his youth, he became increasing drawn towards socialism, and he joined the Independent Labour Party, under the leadership of Keir Hardie, becoming an active member, and was noted as a successful orator on behalf of the party. In 1906 he was appointed manager of the ‘Labour Leader’, the official publication of the party. With the headquarters of the publication housed in Manchester, Wallhead moved to the city, eventually becoming a member of Manchester City Council in 1919, this despite the fact that, as a committed opponent of World War I, he was detained in 1917 under the Defence of the Realm Act, following an anti-war speech he delivered in South Wales.
Wallhead unsuccessfully contested Coventry in the 1918 general election for the Labour Party, to which the I.L.P. was affiliated, but was elected as chairman of the Party in 1920. In 1921 he resigned his seat on the Manchester City Council to devote his time to his own political career, and to the administrative affairs of the Party.
In 1920 he represented the I.L.P. on the British Labour delegation to Russia to investigate conditions there, where he met Lenin. He would subsequently visit Russia again in 1925.
British Labour delegation to Russia. Wallhead is in the centre.
In 1922, he contested his former mentor, Keir Hardie’s seat at Merthyr. The previous incumbent Edgar Rees Jones, the Liberal candidate, chose not to stand for re-election, and Wallhead, standing as a Labour candidate beat his only rival in the election, the Independent candidate, Richard Mathias, with 53% of the vote. He was subsequently one of only five I.L.P. M.P.s to retain their seats in the 1931 general election, after Labour withdrew their support, and he initially supported the party’s disaffiliation from Labour.
In 1933, however, Wallhead, having become increasing disillusioned with the I.L.P.’s gravitation towards the Soviet policies of violence since its cessation from the Labour Party the previous year, resigned from the I.L.P and joined the Labour Party.
By this time however, concern had been growing for a few years about Wallhead’s health, and he died at his home in Welwyn Garden City on 27 April 1934. Following his death, Clement Attlee, the then acting head of the Labour Party said:
“Dick Wallhead will be mourned by many thousands in the Labour Movement, for he was a man who sacrificed himself to the cause of Socialism….There was no more popular and effective exponent of Socialism than Wallhead in the days when the foundations of the Labour Party were being laid.”
The article transcribed below appeared in the Merthyr Express 95 years ago today….
MERTHYR’S FIRE STATION
Opening of New Building and Medical Comforts Depot
On Thursday afternoon the Mayor of Merthyr (Coun. F. A. Phillips), in the presence of a large number of local ladies and gentlemen, opened the new Fire Station for the borough, which is erected on a site adjoining the Central Police Station, the cost of which was about £1,800. Accommodation is provided on the ground floor for the fire engine and the police ambulance car. The first floor will be used as a recreation room, and this has been equipped and furnished out of the Police Athletic Club’s funds. The third floor has been fitted up as a medical comforts’ department, under the Merthyr Centre of the St. John Ambulance Brigade.
A number of the nurses were present wearing their uniform, under the supervision of Mr D. M. Davies, the Chief Constable, who is also the Commissioner of the Merthyr Centre of the St. John Ambulance Brigade; Miss Williams, the supt.; and Mr Harry Jones, the corps. supt. The Mayor, who was accompanied by Mrs. Phillips, the Mayoress, was supported by members and officials of the Corporation; Lady Herbert Lewis, O.B.E., of Cardiff, who later opened the medical comforts’ department and Miss Herman, of the Priory of Wales.
A large and interested crowd of spectators assembled outside the fire station, and before the opening ceremony the Brigade gave a demonstration of how promptly they can act in case of a call being received. The fire bell sounded, the large doors swung open, and the motor fire engine, fully manned, darted out of the station and stopped just outside the entrance of the market. At the same moment another door was opened, and the ambulance car, fully manned, left the other department, and made its way to High-street. Inspector J. C. Lamb was in charge of the Brigade.
The Chief Constable was Master of Ceremonies, and after this interesting demonstration he asked Mr. Edmund Rees (the architect) to present the Mayor with a miniature fireman’s axe, and the key with which to formally open the building.
The Mayor unlocked the large doors amid applause, and Ald. W. Burr, the Deputy-Mayor, unlocked the doors of the ambulance entrance amid a similar demonstration.
The Mayor said: I congratulate the Architect (Mr. T Edmund Rees) and all others concerned for this beautiful structure just opened. For many years this part of the building has not been used owing to its unsuitability for any purpose. The ground upon which it stands is freehold, and is the property of the Corporation. This beautiful fire station will greatly add to the efficiency of the Fire Brigade, being attached to the Police Station itself, and only a few yards from the firemen’s bedrooms. Heating apparatus will be fixed later, and a certain temperature can be maintained throughout the winter, whereas now in the fire station just vacated it is almost a matter of impossibility to start a 69 horse-power engine during the winter months owing to the low temperature, with a consequent loss of valuable time; and the most valuable time at a fire is the first few minutes after the discovery of an outbreak. (Applause.)
The Chief Constable’s two pretty little daughters then presented beautiful bouquets to lady Lewis and the Mayoress.
Inside the building the Mayoress (Mrs. Phillips) was presented by P.S. Edward Jones, Chairman of the Police Athletic Club, with a pair of silver scissors with which to cut a ribbon at the foot of the staircase leading to the recreation room, where she subsequently unveiled a framed memorial to six Merthyr policemen who were killed in the Great War.
The Memorial was dedicated by the Rector of Merthyr, the Rev. J. Richards-Pugh, R.D., and the “Last Post” was sounded by P.C. F. Standard, one of four brothers who are members of the Merthyr Force, and who went through the war.
The Mayor said: As Chairman of the Watch Committee, I am very pleased that at long last the members of our Police Force have a club room for their own use. Hitherto the only room at their disposal was the messroom downstairs, which will only hold about a dozen. This messroom was used for breakfast room, dining room, supper room, etc.; and all games and meetings of necessity had to be held there. In appreciation of the provision of this club room the Police themselves purchased this billiard table, the beautiful and appropriate pictures which you see on that wall; the War Memorial in memory of their comrades who fell in the Great War; and the clock – costing altogether £103 0s. 6d. This beautiful memorial was executed throughout by Mr. E.A. Gilbert, of Rhymney, a postman; and I must congratulate him on his work. Mr. Gilbert is well known throughout the land, and especially at the Royal Academy, where he was awarded prizes for similar work; also at National Eisteddfodau. The names you see on it are those of highly respected officers of our Police Force. Four of them belonged to the “Old Contemptibles, viz.: Tom Evans, Stubbs, Leonard and Clarke. Lovis and Morgan were volunteers, and they joined the army in 1915. It may interest you to know that 47 members of our Police Force served during the Great War, leaving 40 behind to “keep the home fires burning.” The Police, out of their own funds, gave the dependents of the six men who did not come back £50 each. (Applause.)
Lady Lewis then formally opened the medical comforts’ department, and was presented with a silver key by Miss Williams, the lady supt. of the Nursing Division.
Among others who took part in the proceedings were Ald. F. Pedler, Councillors Isaac Edwards, F. T. James, H. M. Lloyd, David Parry, B. J. Williams, Miss C. Jones (Matron of Mardy Hospital) and Miss Templeman (Supt. Nurse of the Merthyr Infirmary).
Coun. Parry proposed, and Coun, B. J. Williams seconded, a vote of thanks to the Mayor for opening the building; Coun. F. T. James moved a similar compliment to the Mayoress, which Coun. H. M. Lloyd seconded; and Miss C Jones, Matron of Mardy Hospital, moved a vote of thanks to Lady Lewis, which was seconded by Miss Templeman, of the Merthyr Infirmary.
Many thanks to Tracy Barnard for transcribing this article.
A photograph taken in the early 1970s, showing (left to right) Merthyr Central Police Station, Merthyr Fire Station and Market Square Chapel. Photo courtesy of the Alan George Archive
Merthyr Tydfil is known for producing boxers of British, European and World renown, my maternal grandfather, Michael Leahan, was not of that class but he was a boxer of some talent in the short time that he competed.
Michael was born in 33 Cellars, Pontstorehouse, Merthyr Tydfil of second generation Irish parents and such was the poverty and dysfunctional family background that he was not expected to survive his birth.
He was baptised at home on the day of his birth, 16th October 1888, but was sufficiently strong enough to receive a church baptism 12 days later and even then his mother, Johanna delayed the registration of his birth until the 28th November.
Michael’s father Patrick was a drinking companion of the notorious pugilist and bully Redmond Coleman, but it his highly likely that he learnt his boxing skills whilst serving in the Second Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He had enlisted as a boy soldier and then in April 1907 soon after his eighteenth birthday he formally enlisted for the standard seven year term. At this time the Regiment was stationed in South Africa and it was there in Bloemfontein in 1909 that he won the Army and Navy feather-weight championship. At this time one of the Battalion’s instructors was Sergeant William John Ranger, a proficient gymnast and holder of the Army and Navy middle-weight championship of 1905. Sergeant Ranger is more likely to have been the main influence on Michael’s boxing expertise.
The Battalion completed its tour of duty in South Africa in March 1910 and returned to its barracks at Pembroke Dock and it was there that the Regiment prepared to send a group of soldiers to the forthcoming Army and Navy Boxing Championships at Aldershot in the October of that year. The squad comprised of:
Private King, welter-weight,
Private Leahan, light-weight,
Private Skeets, feather-weight,
Private Skerry, feather-weight, and
Sergeant Ranger, middle-weight.
As part of their preparation and an indication that they thought they had a strong squad of competitors, the Regiment hired the services of Fred Dyer of Cardiff to act as the squad’s trainer and instructor, Dyer was the current light-weight champion of Wales. In addition, the regiment organised an evening of warm up bouts in the gymnasium at Llanion Barracks between the squad members and local boxers with Dyer refereeing the bouts. The local press reporter paid a lot more column inches to the bout between Michael and a Li (Elias) Evans: This was a splendid contest, and both men showed not only plenty of stamina but plenty of skill also. Leahan, who when the regiment was stationed at Bloemfontein held the light-weight Army and Navy championship of South Africa, won the bout, and had slightly the better of the exchanges, but in the point of skill there was little in it, and if anything Evans’s footwork was superior. The Milford lad is a very pretty and clean boxer, and is game too. His opponent, however, appeared to have a harder punch. Each round was fought at a rare pace, and it was only in the third round that the soldier scored. Later, in the evening a backer of the Milford lad challenged Leahan to a 15 rounds contest and this was accepted.
The Championship at Aldershot was held over four days with over 300 entries for the 12 championships. However, Michael was the only ‘Welshman’ to “survive the punishing early stages”: In the third round of the rank and file light-weights Private Leahan won a good fight against Sergeant Instructor Bradley (Army Gymnastic Staff). The latter was a cautious fighter, and covered himself well, but Leahan, with well judged leads, got over his guard, and got home left and right on the head and ribs several times in the first and second rounds. The Sergeant, coming up in the third round a bit ’groggy’, Leahan saw his advantage and took it. Boxing his opponent all round the ring he had him helpless across the ropes, the referee stopping the fight in the Welshman’s favour halfway through. In the next series of the same competition Leahan met Private Ronan (2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers) and had all the work cut out to win. He did so, however in the third round with a terrific right swing on the point. Ronan coming up very dazed, Leahan forced matters and had Ronan hopelessly beaten when time was called. In the semi-finals Leahan met Corporal Miller (1st Royal North Lancashire Regiment) and was beaten after a fine struggle.
Miller had been the losing finalist in the previous year’s championship and he ‘found however in Leahan, his strongest opponent, and had to go out all the way to win his way into the final. Leahan made use of his long reach, and at the end of three very hard rounds against a most experienced fighter he only lost by the smallest margin. In the final Miller met Sapper O’Neil (Royal Engineers) winning with ease.
Returning to Pembroke Michael had his second bout with Li Evans over 15 rounds for £10 a-side. An infantryman’s pay was 1s a day, approximately £1.50 a month. At today’s prices, the purse of £10 is equivalent to just over £1,000. Michael had an advantage of 10.lb in weight, and this in the course of the 15 rounds told against his opponent, who, despite his cleverness, received some severe punishment in the earlier rounds. Evans was, perhaps, the more scientific boxer, but Leahan was the harder hitter, and at the end of the 15 rounds was awarded the verdict on points.
The local backer, ‘Professor’ Alf Harris, must have thought that he had a good money earner with these two opponents and on the 26th November promoted another bout over 20 rounds for £20 a-side at his pavilion in Milford Haven.
The building was packed to its utmost capacity. Leahan scaled 13.lb heavier than Evans. Evans was knocked down in the eighth round and again in the eleventh round but rose before the call of time on each occasion. The whole 20 rounds were fought and Leahan was returned the winner on points. Mr Isaacs, of London, was the referee, whilst Mr H. Stephens acted as timekeeper.
The bouts with Evans are the only professional bouts that I believe my grandfather contested and I presume that his Regiment only allowed him to compete because they were held locally and were good for regimental morale. I don’t know if he was allowed to keep his winnings! Michael continued to box for his regiment: In the following October (1911) he competed in the Army and Navy Championships held at the Connaught Drill Hall, Portsmouth, losing on points in the second series of bouts to Leading Seaman Savage (H.M.S. Argyle), and, in April 1913 he fought two bouts at the Bordon Garrison Championships (Hampshire), losing in the final to Driver Evans (141st Battery) by “the smallest possible margin of points”.
In August 1914 Michael’s regiment was part of the British Expeditionary Force that entered the war in France. In September 1915 Michael received a gunshot wound in the right knee, the wound was serious enough to end his military service and he was discharged on the 6th September 1915, with the rank of Lance-corporal. Of course his wound also ended his boxing career and he returned to Merthyr Tydfil to work in the coal mines. After the war my grandfather never enjoyed good health and died from tuberculosis on the 29th May 1928, aged 39 years.
In the series looking at the Berry Brothers, we conclude with a profile of William Ewart Berry, the second and middle son of John and Mary Anne Berry, who was born on 23 June 1870 at 11 Church Street, Merthyr.
The tale is told that William’s journalistic career began after he entered, and won, an essay competition, which so impressed the judge, W.W. Hadley – editor of the “Merthyr Times” – that he gave William a post as a reporter. William was just 14. William clearly had ambition – by the age of 19 he had left Merthyr and had a short term post as a reporter on the “Investor’s Guardian”, for which he was paid 35s a week. That, however, did not last long and William spent three months unemployed, walking the streets and trying freelance work before getting a job as a reporter for the Commercial Press Association. Then, in 1901, aged 22 and using £100 borrowed from his brother Seymour he launched a paper of his own, “Advertising World”. William wrote every word of that first addition. By the second edition he had been joined by his brother, Gomer, and the two were to forge a newspaper partnership that lasted for the next 35 years.
William and Gomer sold “Advertising World” in 1905 for a healthy profit and went onto found “Boxing” and other periodicals during the next few years, all of which they ran successfully. The brothers clearly had an eye for an opportunity – as can be seen in the fact that a seemingly insatiable seven-day demand for news from the western front after the outbreak of the First World War convinced them that the moment was right to acquire the “Sunday Times”, which they bought for £80,000. At the time, sales of the paper had slumped to about 20,000 a week – less than a tenth of “The Observer’s” circulation. By 1937 the “Sunday Times” was outselling its historic rival by nearly 70,000 copies a week.
The purchase in 1919 of the St Clement’s Press, and its City flagship the “Financial Times”, further raised the William’s profile. Not surprisingly, therefore, he and Gomer were assiduously courted by the circle surrounding the then prime minister, David Lloyd-George. One consequence was that in 1921 William Berry became a baronet.
Over the next few years William and Gomer established a vast and diverse media conglomerate; and yet it was not until 1927 that they finally acquired a major London-based daily newspaper. The “Daily Telegraph” and it was with this paper that William’s name was to become most firmly associated. The “Daily Telegraph” had been a great Victorian success story, setting high standards in its news reporting and attracting suburban middle-class readers.A commitment to solid Conservative values, plus a reputation for extensive coverage of both major sporting events and salacious court cases, ensured daily sales of nearly 300,000 by the early 1890s. By the late 1920s, however, sales had slipped to about 84,000, and the “Daily Telegraph” was in urgent need of modernization. Reluctant to invest, the paper’s chief proprietor, Lord Burnham, suggested a quick sale to Allied Newspapers, then owned by the Berry brothers.
Thus on 1 January 1928 William Berry at last assumed editorial responsibility for a ‘quality’ national newspaper with enormous potential. While retaining the “Telegraph”‘s unequivocal centre-right politics, William made key editorial and personnel changes, as well as updating the paper’s type and format. Sales slowly grew, and then doubled to 200,000 after the price was halved to 1d. on 1 December 1930. Within seven years circulation had reached 637,000, and on the eve of the Second World War it had increased to 750,000 by which time William had placed news items onto the front page – a radical, if not pioneering, step.
William Berry with Winston Churchill
William was a supporter of Churchill during the late 30s and 40s and for a few weeks after the outbreak of war worked in the Ministry of Information as Chief Assistant to Lord MacMillan, then Minister and Controller of Press Relations. In 1941 Churchill made him Viscount Camrose, named for Camrose in Pembrokeshire where William’s father had been born. Such was the regard between Churchill and William that he was the only non-member of Churchill’s family to dine with him on V.E. Day in 1945. William was also instrumental in organising a “whip round” to buy Churchill his home, Chartwell, for £43,600 (well over a million today) and donated it to the National Trust with the provision that Churchill should live in it for the rest of his life.
In turn, it was Churchill who suggested that William should have a memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral and it was he who unveiled it in May 1956.
William died in 1954 in Royal South Hampshire Hospital, just short of his 75th birthday, from a heart attack. He left a widow, Mary Agnes, his wife of nearly 50 years, and 8 children.
William Berry’s Memorial Plaque at St Paul’s Cathedral
Arthur Horner was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1894. Poverty forced Horner to leave school at the age of eleven. He worked at a barber’s, as a grocer’s delivery boy and also at the local railway office.
Horner was deeply religious and at seventeen obtained a scholarship to attend the Baptist College in Birmingham. However, he left six months later and found work at Standard Collieries in the Rhondda Valley.
Horner also joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) and also became an active member of the National Union of Mineworkers. He joined forces with other left-wing radicals such as A. J. Cook.
In 1914 Horner began is campaign against Britain’s involvement in the First World War and took part in the fight against conscription. A close friend of James Connolly, in 1916 he travelled to Dublin to join the Irish Citizen Army and took part in the Easter Rising.
On his return to Wales he became a checkweighman at Maerdy Colliery. He refused to be conscripted into the British Army and in 1917 he was arrested and charged with sedition, under the Defence of the Realm Act. He was found guilty and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs.
Horner had been impressed with the achievements of the Bolsheviks following the Russian Revolution and in April 1920 he joined forces with Tom Bell, Willie Gallacher, Arthur McManus, Harry Pollitt, Helen Crawfurd, A. J. Cook, Rajani Palme Dutt, Albert Inkpin and Willie Paul to establish the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). McManus was elected as the party’s first chairman and Bell and Pollitt became the party’s first full-time workers.
After the war A. J. Cook became leader of the South Wales Miners’ Federation. Horner became his deputy. Cook left the Communist Party of Great Britain over disagreement over industrial policy and rejoined the Independent Labour Party (ILP). However, Horner remained a loyal party member. In 1924 Harry Pollitt was appointed General Secretary of the National Minority Movement, a Communist-led united front within the trade unions. Pollitt worked alongside Tom Mann and according to one document the plan was “not to organize independent revolutionary trade unions, or to split revolutionary elements away from existing organizations affiliated to the T.U.C. but to convert the revolutionary minority within each industry into a revolutionary majority.” Horner became one of the leader of the Miners’ Minority Movement.
Later that year Frank Hodges, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers was forced to resign following his appointment as Civil Lord of the Admiralty in the Labour Government. A. J. Cook went on to secure the official South Wales nomination and subsequently won the national ballot by 217,664 votes to 202,297. Fred Bramley, general secretary of the TUC, was appalled at Cook’s election. He commented to his assistant, Walter Citrine: “Have you seen who has been elected secretary of the Miners’ Federation? Cook, a raving, tearing Communist. Now the miners are in for a bad time.” However, his victory was welcomed by Horner who argued that Cook represented “a time for new ideas – an agitator, a man with a sense of adventure”.
In 1925 the mine-owners announced that they intended to reduce the miner’s wages. The General Council of the Trade Union Congress responded to this news by promising to support the miners in their dispute with their employers. The Conservative Government, decided to intervene, and supplied the necessary money to bring the miners’ wages back to their previous level. This event became known as Red Friday because it was seen as a victory for working class solidarity.
The Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, stated that this subsidy to the miners’ wages would only last 9 months. In the meantime, the government set up a Royal Commission under the chairmanship of Sir Herbert Samuel, to look into the problems of the Mining Industry. The Samuel Commission published its report in March 1926. It recognised that the industry needed to be reorganised but rejected the suggestion of nationalization. The report also recommended that the Government subsidy should be withdrawn and the miners’ wages should be reduced.The month in which the report was issued also saw the mine-owners publishing new terms of employment. These new procedures included an extension of the seven-hour working day, district wage-agreements, and a reduction in the wages of all miners. Depending on a variety of factors, the wages would be cut by between 10% and 25%. The mine-owners announced that if the miners did not accept their new terms of employment then from the first day of May they would be locked out of the pits.
John Collins V.C., D.C.M., M.M. Plaque sited in the foyer of Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery Memorial Plinth in the grounds of St. Tydfil’s Church, Merthyr Tydfil
John Collins was born in West Hatch, Somerset in 1880 and came to Merthyr when he was about ten years old.
He fought in the Boer War and also served in India. In 1914 he joined the Welsh Regiment.
He won his Victoria Cross whilst serving in Palestine with the 25th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers. The citation states:
“…although isolated and under fire from snipers and guns, he showed throughout a magnificent example of initiative and fearlessness.”
Known as Jack the V.C., he died in 1951 and is buried in Pant Cemetery.
Ninety years ago, on Monday 23 December 1929, Crosswoods food shop first opened its doors. It was the collaboration of David William Wood and William Joseph Cross, experienced in the grocery trade.
David William Wood was born in Montgomeryshire in 1885, and was educated at Corris Elementary School and Machynlleth County School. In 1902, aged 17, Wood entered the grocery and provision trade. He was employed at the time by the largest retailers in the North of England, an by 1909 he became manager of one of the largest branches. For a short time before the First World War he was in the employment of Messrs’ William Harris, Merthyr and then during the he served four and a half years with the Forces, and was twice mentioned in despatches, for meritorious service, gaining promotion to the rank of sergeant-major. After the war he returned to Merthyr Tydfil and continued to work for Messrs’ William Harris, and lived with his wife Elizabeth at Meliden, 5, Garth Villas, Near the General Hospital and attended Pontmorlais Chapel.
William Joseph Cross (known as Joe), was born 19 April 1900, His parents were John Cross and Ruth Rawlings, he was brought up at Cross Farm, Kingsland in Herefordshire. In 1913 when he was only 13 years old, he was sent to Merthyr Tydfil to work for C.M & R Gunson’s, at 68, High Street, a family Grocery, wine & spirit business. On 5 March 1918, he joined the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman on the ship Victory. When he was demobbed on 6 February 1919, Cross returned to Merthyr Tydfil and resumed his employment with Gunson’s. On 27 August 1923 he married Ruby E Seaman and they lived at 7 Hampton Street, and they had one son Ernest George Woods, who was born 1926.
Having worked for the Gunson family most of his life (except for the period of his conscription), after Joe Cross had a disagreement with the family, so decided to investigate the possibility of opening a Grocery business of his own. Having worked in the local grocery industry he came in contact with David William Wood, then manager of one of Messrs William Harris shops, both men had similar business experiences in the grocery and provision trade.
Although Wood was older than Cross, their business backgrounds were similar, so they made the decision to go into partnership. Mr Wood and Mr Cross’s joint ambition was to serve the people of Merthyr Tydfil under the best possible hygienic conditions, a promise that was kept all through their working lives. After purchasing and renovating a premises at 67 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, and making provisions for food stocks, a name had not yet been decided upon, an amalgamation of the two surnames Wood and Cross was suggested, after careful thought the name “Crosswoods” was decided upon.
Crosswoods in Merthyr High Street. Photo courtesy of the Alan George Archive
It was a terrific gamble due to the depression in the Merthyr Tydfil Borough, but Crosswords opened its doors on 23 December 1929, and it was through Mr Wood and Mr Cross’s courage, initiative and enterprise the business survived the difficulties of the time.
After the first shop was firmly established a second “Crosswoods” was opened in Aberdare at 25 Seymour Street in early 1930’s. Here again the progress in business was rapid, and proved conclusively that “Crosswoods” was appreciated by the public who could afford the best in foods. Mr Cross took charge of the establishment and moved to Aberdare, and lived at 5 Cledwyn Gardens. In spite of the depression Messrs “Crosswoods” had in a small space of twelve months built up a wonderfully successful high-class business: the secret of their success lying in that they only sold the best of everything; that they studied the art of display; the cleanliness of their establishments and the unfailing courtesy meted to the thousands that patronised their shops. They always excelled themselves in preparation for all seasons with everything required for provisions, groceries, confectionary and delicacies all being of superb quality.
In October 1938, to relieve pressure at Merthyr Tydfil’s “Crosswoods” a third shop was opened at Aberfan. But after experiencing the business of Christmas of 1937 when pressure of business reached its peak, the firm were compelled to either consider expansion in both Merthyr and Aberdare shops or to deliberately curtail the size of their shops. The directors decided on the first course and Aberdare had its refurbished “Crosswoods” in September 1938, it was described as a shop worthy of the goods sold there. The Merthyr branch acquired 66,High Street and after renovations the shop opened its doors on Friday 25 November 1938. At the time “Crosswoods” was reputed as one of the finest food shops in Wales.
In a statement at the time, David W. Woods said:
“We have taken this step for more than one reason. Firstly, we feel we owe it to those who have put up with so much inconvenience at our old shops, particularly during the busy periods. Secondly, we are optimistic of Merthyr’s and future, and we know from experience that when they are prosperous only the best will satisfy Merthyr People. Thirdly, there is among all classes a rapidly developing pure foods consciousness and sensitiveness to the importance of Hygiene in our food stores.”
Another innovation Crosswoods introduced in 1938, was a department specially designed for those on special diets and foods for the sick and convalescents. This department had two special features. Nothing would be on sale that did not bear that fullest recommendations of the medical profession, the department would be under the charge of a trained nurse who has specialised in dietetics.
Having had three shops already Merthyr, Aberdare, and Aberfan “Crosswoods” expanded to four shops when a branch was opened in Tredegar after the Second World War.
Crosswoods Staff Dinner in 1940. W J. Cross and D.W Woods are sitting at the head of the table
Crosswoods had been conscious for a very long time about opening of a modern and up-to-date bakery, so, in March 1954, Crosswoods opened their very own bakery behind their shop at 25 Seymour Street, Aberdare. This venture meant they could expand their own products. The occasion was marked by the Mayor of Merthyr officially opening the new bakery. Following the opening ceremony a luncheon was held at the Boot Hotel, Aberdare.
In the early 1950’s Mr Oswald May joined Crosswords, he became General Manager, and later a director of the company. Mr May continued as a company director until his death in 1971. Mr May’s son John Philip May known as Philip, became the company secretary and later in 1959 a director of company.
Philip and Oswald May
Most of the Crosswoods stores eventually closed due to competition from large supermarkets and, by the late 1970s, closed leaving Merthyr’s Crosswoods the only one to survive.
After over forty years at Nos 66 and 67 High Street, Crosswoods moved to Newmarket Walk, Merthyr Tydfil but it only remained there a short period before moving to Victoria Street where it remains today.
Lisa Jones a former Saturday girl, was just 16 and still at school when she joined Crosswoods in 1989. Lisa subsequently bought the business from Philip May in 2003. Since then, Crosswoods has gone from strength to strength, currently employing over 13 members of staff
Crosswoods recently moved to a larger premises three doors away with the aim of introducing new services such as a hot food counter. Since Crosswood’s beginning, customer care and courtesy have been paramount and food quality is of the highest standard – this is still maintained to this day.
The Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society is pleased to announce the publication of Volume 30 of the Merthyr Historian.
There will be a book-launch for the new volume on Tuesday 3 December at 2.00pm at The Red House (The Old Town Hall), and all are welcome.
The cost of the book will be £10. If anyone would like a copy, please get in touch via the e-mail – merthyr.history@gmail.com and I will pass on any orders.
The contents of Volume 30 are below.
Volume 30 (2019) ISBN 978 0 992981 0 6 Eds. Christine Trevett and Huw Williams
An Editorial Statement
A tribute to Dr T. Fred Holley at 90
Three Merthyr Artists (with particular Reference to William Gillies Gair) by T.F. Holley and J.D. Holley
The Crown Inn, Merthyr, in the Nineteenth Century by Richard Clements
Facets of Faenor (Vaynor) by Lyndon Harris
David Irwyn Thomas of Treharris (1923-2018): a Story of Wartime Survival and Search by David Irwyn Thomas
‘Yr Aberth Fwyaf’ (‘The Greatest Sacrifice’): Words, Images, Messages and Emotions in the First World War Memorials in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough by Gethin Matthews
Sir Pendrill Charles Varrier-Jones (1883-1941): The Papworth Medical Scheme and the Fight Against Tuberculosis by Huw Williams
J.D. Williams Jeweller, High Street, Merthyr and an iconic building by Carl Llewellyn
Merthyr Tydfil and industry – decline and commemoration, 1859 and 1899 (transcriptions and photograph) by Stephen Brewer
Rhyd –y-Car, Wales’ most popular cottages: a success in Preservation by Clive Thomas
Penry Williams: from Georgetown to Rome – Journey of an Artist by Ben Price
From Zero to Hero: William Thomas, Brynawel (1832-1903), Mining Engineer by T. Fred Holley
Richard Christopher Wallhead (he later changed his middle name to Collingham) was born in London on 28 December 1869. He was educated at St Edward’s Elementary School at Romford before beginning his career as a clerk with the Great Eastern Railway. He then re-trained as a decorator and designer.
Merthyr Tydfil is known for producing boxers of British, European and World renown, my maternal grandfather, Michael Leahan, was not of that class but he was a boxer of some talent in the short time that he competed.
In the series looking at the Berry Brothers, we conclude with a profile of William Ewart Berry, the second and middle son of John and Mary Anne Berry, who was born on 23 June 1870 at 11 Church Street, Merthyr.
Arthur Horner was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1894. Poverty forced Horner to leave school at the age of eleven. He worked at a barber’s, as a grocer’s delivery boy and also at the local railway office.
John Collins was born in West Hatch, Somerset in 1880 and came to Merthyr when he was about ten years old.
