HISTORY - PEOPLE

Famous Residents / Local Characters / Local Titanic Passengers / Queen Elizabeth II Honours

More links will be added throughout the coming months. If you would like to submit a name for either list then contact us.

FAMOUS RESIDENTS
Ron Berry (Author) [Treherbert/Blaencwm]
David John "Dai" Bowen (Professional boxer and Welsh lightweight champion)
Rebecca Buck (Blaencwm Sculptor)
Sean James Cameron (Author) [Penyrenglyn]
Geraint Davies (First Assembly Member to represent Rhondda in the National Assembly of Wales) [Treherbert]
Dennis Fletcher (World Champion Gardener) [Penyrenglyn]
Baroness Gale of Blaenrhondda (Local Baroness)
Alexander Frederick Harris (World Renown Spiritualist) [Treherbert]
Jack Hart (Gardener & Photographer) [Tynewydd]
Emrys Jenkins (Author) [Penyrenglyn]
Ivor Jones (Bare Knuckle Fighter)
Percy Jones (World Champion Boxer) [Treherbert]
Ivor Mace (World Champion Gardener) [Ynyswen]
John Pritchard (Garden Breeder) [Tynewydd]
Frank Vickery (Playwright) [Blaencwm]
Ron Watkins (Author) [Ynyswen]
Prysor Williams (Actor) [Treherbert]

WELL KNOWN LOCALS & CHARACTERS .... Top
Doughty Bakery (Treherbert)
Eifron Evans, Musical Conductor
Bernard Jones, Environmentalist (Treherbert / Penyrenglyn)
M. O. Jones
Gerwyn Llewellyn, Undertaker
Howel Llewelyn (Ty Draw)
Kevin 'The Milk' Mason
William Morgan (Tynewydd)
Lorna Morris, Glamorous Granny
Jimmy Oliver Grocery Store (Penyrenglyn)
Harry Powell, Gents Hairdresser
Dick Jones Stiff
Layton 'Percy' Jones (Penyrenglyn / Treherbert)
Lucy Thomas (Midwife, Blaencwm)
Tommy Tippit (Penyrenglyn)
Cedwin Watkins

QUEEN ELIZABETH II HONOURS .... Top

Leighton Rich, MBE (Penyrenglyn)

LEIGHTON RICH MBE
Born in Penyrenglyn but now living in Southampton Mr Leighton Rich was named in the Honours List in 2004. Aged 57 he was born in George Street Penyrenglyn and was an active member of the Treherbert Brass Band when he joined at the age of 11. He worked as a teacher when he left the area in his 20s and became involved with the Hampshire County Youth Band. The award was given for services to music.

"I was delighted to be given the MBE and owe my music and this medal to Rhondda. Without starting music in Rhondda I would never have got this award. I have stayed in close contact with Rhondda all my life. I went to Treherbert Secondary Modern School and tried and tried to get into Treherbert band. They gave me a battered tenor horn to play and I later turned to the cornet which I have played all my life. I later joined the Parc and Dare Band. Playing in Rhondda there was great comradeship. My mum, Lorena, still lives in Penyrenglyn and she was so chuffed with the MBE. She is going around all the neighbourhood telling them about it. I know everyone would be pleased for me."

LOCAL TITANIC PASSENGERS .... Top
David John "Dai" Bowen, Age was either 21 or 26.
Mr Bowen was a collier living at Baglan Street, Treherbert, Rhondda, Wales, with his widowed mother. He was a professional boxer and was the Welsh lightweight champion. He was travelling to the USA under contract for a series of boxing contests. He was accompanied by fellow Welshman and boxer Leslie Williams, from Tonypandy. His ring weight was described as a few pounds heavier than Leslie Williams' 122 pounds. He was regarded as a promising fighter. Mr Bowen was married. He and Williams booked passage through the Cardiff office of Dean and Dawson, tourist and steamship agents, 67 St. Mary's Street, Cardiff (ticket number 54636, £16 pounds 2 shillings). They boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third class passengers. Bowen died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Dai Bowen wrote a letter to his mother dated 11 April 1912 his words include 'This is a lovely boat, she is very near so big as Treherbert ...'

The body of Mr Leslie Williams, reported age 28, was recovered by the Mackey-Bennett (No.14) ship and was buried at Sea on Monday 22 April 1912.

Occupations of both men: Pugilist.