Preece Family Tree

Tragic Death of Mr. Edward Rees Griffiths, Porth.

Large Funeral.

With very deep regret we have to record the death of Mr. Edward Rees Griffiths, the third son of Councillor Thomas Griffiths, J.P., Porth (director and agent of the Cymmer Collieries), Which took place under tragic circumstances at the Bertie Pit (Lewis Merthyr Collieries) last Friday evening.

Deceased, who was a traffic inspector at the Bertie Pit, in some unknown manner fell beneath the last journey of trams as it was making its way to the pit-bottom. He was taken out, and it was at once seen that serious injuries had been sustained. Medical aid was requisitioned, and Dr. Carrol, Trehafod, immediately descended the shaft and rendered every assistance possible. The injured man was then conveyed to the Porth Cottage Hospital, and was attended by Dr. L. H. Lewis. From the first it was seen, however, that all human aid was unavailing, and within five minutes after entering the hospital the unfortunate man had quietly breathed his last. Mr. Griffiths was well known and equally well esteemed in the neighbourhood. He was a devoted member of the Church of God at Mountain Ash; a man of deep religious conviction and of high moral principle. He leaves a wife and one child.

The Funeral.

Amid manifestations of widespread sorrow and regret the remains were interred at the Llethrddu Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. Elder Edward Foster, of Roath Meeting House, presided over a short service at the residence, after which the cortege proceeded to the cemetery in the following order:- First coach - Mrs. E. Griffiths (widow), Master Trevor Griffiths (son), Mr. Thos. Earley (brother-in-law), Mr. J. Morgan (brother-in-law), Mr. Alfred Morgan (brother-in-law), and Miss Katie John (niece); second coach - Councillor Thomas Griffiths, J.P., and Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. John Griffiths, Mortlake, London, Misses Sarah and Lizzie Griffiths; third coach - Mrs. M. A. Thomas, Cymmer, Miss Sarah Griffiths, Pencoed, Mr. Willie Thomas, and Mr. Thomas Thomas; fourth coach - Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Thomas, Miss Mary Griffiths, and Miss Ann Griffiths; fifth coach - Mr. and Mrs. J. W. John, Ynyshir, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Glannant, Tonypandy; sixth coach - Rev. Oscar Owen, Porth, Rev. C. Tawelfryn Thomas, Groeswen; seventh coach - Mr. E. S. Williams (general manager, Cymmer Collieries), Mr. G. F. Martyn (cashier), Mr. W. H. Bowen (under-manager), Mr. E. Morgan (under-manager), and Mr. Ivor Morgan; eighth coach - Mr. Jno. Samuel (head mechanic, Cymmer Collieries), Mr. Thomas Yorath (manager, Upper Cymmer and No. 1 Level), Mr. David Davies (yard overman), Mr. Ed. Trueman, and Mr. H. E. Thomas; ninth coach - Mr. Vm. Evans, Mrs. J. Phillips, and Mrs. J. Stone, Cymmer. The bearers were:- Messrs. John Harris, John Davies (overman), John Davies (Cae'rysgol), John Bunn, Richard Toms, Alfred Williams, Samuel Breeze, and Griffith Lewis. Other officials of the Cymmer Collieries present were:- Messrs. D. W. Jones, Percy Martyn, T. Yorath, Wm. Evans, D. Cook, T. Richards, Tom Morgan, John Williams, E. Hodges, J. Griffiths, Thomas Harris, Griffith Lewis, John Crawnon Jones, and John Davies. There were present also the following officials of the Lewis Merthyr Collieries:- Mr. Charles Oatridge (manager, Bertie Pit), Messrs. Thomas Williams, David Rees, Owen Jones, Thomas Hopkins, David Jones, John Polsome, and Llewellyn Oatridge. Among the general public we noticed:- The Vicar of Porth (Rev. W. Thomas), Dr. L H. Lewis, Messrs. Octavius Thomas, R. Farr, J. Preece, H. Cooper, John J. R. James, J. T. Jenkins, T. Maddox, M. Hicks, Wm. Morgan (Llantwit), A. A. Evans (Trehafod), Lewis Lewis, Robert Morgan, T. Davies (chemist), T. Davies (Imperial Hotel), J. Towy Thomas, Obadiah Llewellyn, J. T. Richards (Cloth Hall), Llewellyn Williams, and Thomas Richards. There weie also present almost the whole of the Church of God at Mountain Ash, numbering about 150. At the graveside, a touching service was conducted by Mr. G. Prasher, Bridgend, who expressed pleasure that deceased had long since accepted the offer of the Lord Jesus Christ, and now rested confident of resurrection with the saints. There were a large number of floral offerings, including wreaths from "The Family at Maesgwyn," and one from Sir William Thomas Lewis, with the following inscription.- "With the sincere regret and sympathy of Sir William Thomas Lewis, Bart., and the Lewis Merthyr Consolidated Collieries Company". A beautiful cross from "Johnny, Bertha and Family," also wreaths from Mr. Dd. Jenkins and family, Glannant; "Aunt Mary and family," Porth; and officials, Bertie Pit.