Ap Valant's Family Tree
www.apvalant.info
A self made man rising from illegitimacy to cultural icon,embodying Welsh hiraeth and grit who lived in Penrhiwceiber until his death in 1921.
Ap Valant's maternal great grandfather-
Valentine Richards
1739 - 1829
(Note name reversal,
see below)
Richard Valentine
1766 - 1828
Groundsman on
the Estate
Married: Ann (Nancy)
8 Children: 4 boys 4 girls
Argricultural Labourer and
Lead Miner
Married:Mary in 1798
8 Children: 4 boys 4 girls
Richard Valentine
1799 - 1892
Ann Valentine
1826 - 1900
(had 7 siblings, including a brother called Richard Valentine born 1841.
Ap Valant later referred to Richard as "brother"instead of uncle in a poem following Richard's untimely death.
Anne gave birth to my great grandfather James (Ap Valant) out of wedlock in1846. We do not know yet who is father was, though his surname may have been Williams. James had the surname of Valentine on his birth certificate in 1846 but by the 1861 census living away from his relatives on a neighbouring farm, he was recorded as James Williams.
Anne did not marry the father of James though did marry John Hughes in 1850 and gave birth to son David in 1851.
James Williams
(Ap Valant)
1846 - 1921
Farm labourer
Coal Miner
Published Poet
Bard
Adjudicator Eistedfodd
Phrenologist
Married: Ann Rees in 1866
4 Children: 3 boys 1 girl
(+ 3 step-children)
James Williams
1872 - 1959
1861 Census in Wales
Coal Miner
Soldier
Married: Jane Evans in 1903
7 Children:5 boys 2 girls
A. Richard Williams
1914 - 1969
Coal Miner
Soldier
Bricklayer
Married: Marjorie
6 Children: 3 boys 3 girls
WW1
Silver War Badge
My grandfather received The Silver War Badge which was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I.
Around the rim of a Silver War Badge is "For King and Empire; Services Rendered".
The badge, sometimes known as the "Discharge Badge", the "Wound Badge" or "Services Rendered Badge", was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement. (From Wiki)
My father grew up in poverty in a South Wales Valley.
He was a bright lad but is formal education ended aged 14 when he was required to leave school and get a job at the local Coal Mine (same was demanded of his 4 brothers).
As soon as they were old enough, they left the mines to join the Army .... in the military at least they had food in their bellies.
Initially 'Soldiers of circumstance'...
then proud to serve their country in the fight against HITLER in WW2
THAT'S ME !
Carried by my father at my sister's wedding 1958
WW2
WW2
UK areas bombed intensely during the Blitz
http://www.warstateandsociety.com/Bombing-Britain
Thank you for your service DAD !
Lest We Forget:
Recent BLOG POSTS:
If you are able to fairly faithfully translate a Welsh poem into English, it would be most appreciated.
(I'm slowly learning Welsh!)
Just type your tranlation into the 'write a comment' section...
Thank You!
