Mumbles Civilians

 Four people from Mumbles lost their lives during the Three-Night Blitz.  They are Winifred Mary Davey, William George Lang, Isabella Morgans, and Andrew Gilford Young.  This blog examines the lives of these individuals.

Winifred Mary Davey

Born in 1908, Winifred was the daughter of Thomas Maloney and Rose Gibson, who were married in 1894. 

At the time of the 1911 Census, the Maloney family was residing at 19 Wern Fawr Road, St. Thomas.

1911 Census

Thomas, aged 37, was employed as a Dock Labourer, while Rose, aged 39.  Their children were:

Evelyn, aged 16, was a dressmaker; Frank, aged 7; Muriel, aged 5, both attended school; Rose, aged 4; Winnie, aged 2; and Marion, aged 1 month.

Also present were Jane Maloney, aged 29; Mary Maloney, aged 19, and Cornelius Maloney, aged 41, who was also employed as a Dock Labourer.  They were Thomas’ siblings. 

Ten years later at the 1921 Census, the Maloney family was living at 6 Grafog Street, Port Tennant.

1921 Census

Thomas, aged 47, is still employed at Swansea Docks as a Dock Labourer and discharges ores, while Rose is 48 years old.  Their children are

Frank, aged 17, is employed at Swansea Docks as a Rock Labourer Shunter. Muriel, aged 15, works as a General Servant. Rose, aged 14; Marion, aged 10; Winifred, aged 12; and Jack, aged 7, all attend school part-time.

In September 1930, Winifred married Stanley Philip Davey at St. Thomas' Parish church.  Winifred, address is recorded as 6 Grafog Street, whilst Stanley’s is 129 Port Tennant Street.  His occupation is also recorded as Motor Driver. 

Stanley Philip Davey and Winifred Mary Maloney
marriage certificate
St. Thomas parish church

Following the marriage, the couple lived at 129 Port Tennant Street, and this is where they are recorded as living at the time of the 1939 Register.

1939 Register

Following the final night of the Blitz, Winifred, who had succumbed to injuries from a bomb blast, was transported to Swansea General Hospital. She was laid to rest on the 26th of February at Oystermouth.

The initial record that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have written reads “of 129 Port Tennant Road. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maloney, of 33 Newton Road, Mumbles; wife of Phillip Stanley Davey. Injured 20 February 1941, at 129 Port Tennant Road; died at Swansea Hospital.”  There is a mistake to have mentioning Mumbles.

William George Lang

William was born in 1906 to William Lang and Annie Delve, who married in 1892.

According to the 1911 Census, the Lang family resided at 17 Park Street.

1911 Census

William, aged 42, is employed as a Dock Labourer.  His place of birth is recorded as Skewen.  Annie is aged 44.  Their children are

Eunice, aged 17; Lena, aged 12, and Willie, aged 5. 

By the 1921 Census, the family had moved to 36 Park Street.

1921 Census

William, aged 52, is employed as a Dock Labourer, while Annie is aged 53.  Their children are

Eunice, aged 27, who is employed as a schoolteacher; Florrie, aged 26, who is employed as a shop assistant; Lena, aged 22, who is employed as a typist; Willie, aged 15, and Elsie, aged 8, who both attend school.

In 1936, William married Dorothy E. Wright.  At the time of the 1939 Register, the couple were recorded as living at 49 Oaks Road, Coulsdon and Purley, Surrey.  William’s occupation is recorded as a Dispenser in A Pharmacy.

1939 Register

William died at the Princess Royal Emergency Hospital on February 22^nd, following injuries sustained on February 21^st.

William was buried at Oystermouth Cemetery on the 26^th of February. 

Isabella Morgans

Isabella was born in 1889, the daughter of Alfred and Maria James.

According to the 1891 census, the James family resided at 32 Catherine Street.

1891 Census

Mary, aged 40, was born in Munyhurst, Pembrokeshire. She has two children.

Mary Ann, aged 7, and Isabella, aged 2.

The 1901 Census records that the James family lived at 32 Victoria Avenue, Mumbles.

1901 Census

Maria, aged 53, her place of birth is recorded as Trevine, Pembrokeshire.  Her children present are

Margaret A., aged 17, and Isabella, aged 12.

The 1911 Census indicates that Maria and her daughter continue to reside at 32 Victoria Avenue, Mumbles.

1911 Census

Maria, aged 60, and who is widowed.  Her occupation is recorded as Boarding House Keeper.  Her daughter is

Isabella, aged 22.

Also present is 92-year-old boarder William Evans, a widowed Navy pensioner.

Isabella married Stephen Morgans in 1919.

The 1921 records that Stephen and Isabella still live at 32 Victoria Avenue.

1921 Census

Stephen, aged 44, is employed as a carpenter, while Isabella is 32 years old.  

The 1939 Register documents that Stephen and Isabella Morgans resided at The Laurels, Grove Place, Swansea. Stephen's occupation is listed as Foreman Joiner & Carpenter, while Isabella is noted to be responsible for household duties.

1939 Register

Isabella lost her life following the last night of the Blitz and was buried at Oystermouth Cemetery on the 27^th of February.

Andrew Gilford Young

Andrew was born in 1910, was the son of Edward Young and Constance Gilford.  They were married in 1903, at Bassaleg, Monmouthshire.

According to the 1911 Census, the Young family resided at 91 Risca Road, Newport, Monmouthshire.

1911 Census

Edward, aged 37, is employed as a Shipping Clerk, while Constance, aged 35. Their children are

Edward Gilford, aged 6; Constance Gilford, aged 3, and Andrew Gilford, aged 1.

Constance died in 1916.  Edward married the second time in 1917 to Ada L. Bailey

According to the 1921 Census, Edward is recorded as residing at 7 Devon Terrace, Mumbles.

1921 Census

Edward, aged 46, is employed Shipping Clerk, and Ada Louisa, is aged 31.  Their children are

Edward Gilford, aged 16, is employed as a Shipping Clerk. Constance Gilford, aged 13, and Andrew Gilford, aged 12, are both at school. William Bailey is 3 years old.

Andrew died on 10^th of May 1941, at Fulham.  The night attack of the 10^th – 11^th of May, over 700 tons of high explosives and over 80 tons of incendiaries were dropped.

That night, over 2,000 fires broke out across 61 London boroughs. The incident resulted in the deaths of more than 1,300 individuals, serious injuries to over 1,600 people, and left 12,000 residents homeless.

Andrew was buried at Fulham Palace Road Cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission recorded that Andrew, from 14 Devon Place, Mumbles, Swansea, Glamorgan, died at 37 Sulivan Road.