Preece Family Tree

WELSH COALFIELD ROMANCE.

Door-boy to Director.

MR THOMAS GRIFFITHS, CYMMER, RETIRING.

It is announced that Mr Thomas Griffiths, M.E., J.P., who for half a century has been associated with the Cymmer Collieries, is retiring from the position of agent and general manager, and Mr W. B. Davies, who has acted as Mr Griffiths' deputy for some time past, will succeed him.

An Inspiring Career.

Mr Thomas Griffiths has been a remarkable and outstanding figure in the Welsh coalfield, and his career is an example of how ability and industry can surmount all obstacles to success.

Beginning as a door-boy, by sheer merit he worked his way to the posts of fireman, overman, and finally agent and general manager of the Cymmer Collieries of Messrs Insoles (Ltd.), and to a seat on the Board of Directors. In 1919 he completed a full half century's service in an official position with the company, and he was for 47 years general manager of the Cymmer Colliery. His predecessor, the late Mr Jabez Thomas, held the position for 42 years so that for practically 90 years the general managership has been in the hands of only two men.

Heroic Rescue Work.

Mr Griffiths played a heroic part in rescue and exploration work on the occasion of Welsh colliery explosions. He was a leader of exploring parties in connection with disasters at the following collieries:- 1871, Pentre; 1990, Naval, Penygraig; 1882, Coedace; 1883, Gelli; 1885, Mardy; 1885 Penygraig; 1887, Wattstown; 1890, Llanerch; 1892, Park Slip; 1892, Great Western, Pontypridd; 1894, Cilfynydd; 1896, Tylorstown; 1899, Llest; 1901, Senghenydd; 1905, Clydach Vale; 1905, Wattstown.

He has been a member of the Conciliation Board of the South Wales Coal Trade from its inception, and was chairman of the Coalowners' Association in 1911-12, and repeatedly gave expert evidence before Royal Commissions and other inquiries relating to the Welsh coal trade.

Though devoted to his profession, he takes great interest in public work. He represented his ward on the old Rhondda Local Board, and a member of the Rhondda District Council since the passing of the Act creating that body, of which he is an ex-chairman.

THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER.

Mr W. B. Davies, who will succeed Mr Thomas Griffiths, M.E., J.P., as general manager of the Cymmer Collieries, is a son of the late Alderman E. H. Davies, of Pentre, who was one of the best known public men in Glamorgan. Mr Davies is one of the few men who has qualified in three branches of engineering - civil, electrical and mining. He acquired experience as a civil engineer at Cubits Foundry, Pentre, later proceeding to a large electrical engineering firm at Durham, where he qualified as an electrical engineer. His first-class mining engineer's certificate was acquired in a very short time after entering the service of Insoles (Limited), at Cymmer Collieries, under Mr Thomas Griffiths, where he secured very rapid promotion.

He is a brother of Dr. Ivor Davies, Windsor-place, Cardiff, and Dr. Trevor Davies, of Harley-street, who had the honour of attending upon Princess Mary. Another brother was the late Major E. H. Davies, of Whitchurch and Pentre, who until his recent death, was a very well-known figure in Welsh Territorial circles.