Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)
The Official Kenfig Community History Project
Kenfig.org Local Community Group
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War YearsKenfig and Surrounding Areas |
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WAR YEARS - REMEMBRANCE DAY SPECIAL11th hour, 11th day, 11th month - 2011 (11-11-11-11)
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Remembrance DayAlso known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day or Veterans Day is a Memorial Day observed in British Commonwealth countries
to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty since World War I.
Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918.
Hostilities formally ended 'at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month' of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice
(at the 11th hour refers to the passing of the 11th hour or 11am)
Source: Wikipedia
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They shall not grow old as we who are left grow oldAge shall not weary them, nor the years condemnAt the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember themThis year's rememberence day has a very significant & unique date - 11/11/11 and as a poignant reminder and mark of
respect to all those who sacrificed themselves during both World Wars the Kenfig
heritage website is providing a Rememberence Special in memory of all who served in the forces both at home & abroad
during these desperate times.
Kenfig & surrounding Area during WWIIKenfig, Porthcawl & surrounding areas welcomed British, French, Dutch, Canadian, Polish and American servicemen &
women during World War II – they stayed in hotels, guest houses, Nissen huts and tents & at Margam Castle. The area
had an air-gunnery school at RAF Stormy Down where more than 10,000 aircrew trained there from June 1940; they used
local beaches for target practice especially at Sker Beach.
Local RemembranceWar MemorialsThere are war memorials located in Cefn Cribbwr, Kenfig Hill, Pyle and Porthcawl; all record the names of members of their immediate local communities
who sacrificed their lives in both World Wars.
Stained Glass MemorialsLocal Churches also have memorials to those who fell in the war years in the form of stained glass windows. Both St James' Church in Pyle and
All Saints Church in Porthcawl have stained glass windows donated & dedicated to local men who fell in the war years designed by
Karl Bergmannn Parsons (1884-1934) - The east window in Maudlam Church has a stained glass memorial
to local men who fell in World War I.
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Porthcawl during and after WWII
The Esplanade/Promenade Porthcawl just after WWII - The Seabank Hotel was home to many service men
who were stationed in the town as was the Grand Pavilion. Learn more... Porthcawl at War
The War Years around Kenfig - An American base was set up in Kenfig on the site of where
the current National Nature Reserve Centre is now located. Learn more... US Forces in Kenfig
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Explore Kenfig and surrounding areas during and throughout the War Years especially the 1939-45 World War.
Porthcawl and surrounding area welcomed British, French, Dutch, Canadian, Polish and American servicemen and women
during WWII. They stayed in hotels, guest houses, nissen huts and tents and trained at nearby RAF Stormy Down and Kenfig
and at the Air Sea Rescue Unit at The Jennings Building in Porthcawl habour.
Mission Statement
Here on Kenfig.org we share in the passion, courage and admiration of both civilian and military servicemen
and women throughout the immediate Kenfig areas and beyond who witnessed some of the most desperate times in Britain's history.
South Wales & World War II
Kenfig and the Luftwaffe
On the 20th June 1940 the Luftwaffe bombed
RAF St Athan signalling the start of the German aerial
offensive against south Wales. Two months later, on the 20th August 1940, 4 bombs fell near
Kenfig Castle, 450 metres west of the river and a further 450 metres inland. All the bombs exploded
leaving a 90 metre long straight line of craters 11 metres wide and 8 metres deep. The following day
RAF Stormy Down was also bombed leaving
the Kenfig & surrounding area in no doubt that they were now part of this war.
Kenfig Hill during WWII
On Saturday the 3rd May 1941 at 23:31 hrs the alarm sounded at Bridgend; at 12:54 hrs in the early hours of Sunday morning
Eurfyl James, the
St John’s Ambulance Superintendant at Kenfig Hill rang Bridgend Control reporting that a bomb had been dropped
on open ground behind the late Dr Ghose’s surgery (9 Commercial Street). Soon, it became apparent that the Luftwaffe had
dropped a number of bombs on Kenfig Hill, including one on the porch of
St Theodore’s Church.
St Theodore’s Church.
During daylight the people of Kenfig Hill discovered 7 bomb craters in their village including three behind St Theodore’s Church.
Windows had been broken as well as disruption to the electricity supply but there were no casualties - by mid-day, the telephone
service had been restored and echoing the spirit of the day, the people of Kenfig Hill kept calm & carried on.
Across South Wales
During the period 1940-43 Swansea and Cardiff were bombed regularly by the Luftwaffe and Bridgend
received frequent warnings of approaching enemy aircraft, the last occurring on the 19th May 1943.
Swansea was blitzed 6 times during World War II with the loss of 387 civilian lives. In Cardiff 355
civilians were killed and a further 82 civilians lost their lives in other parts of Glamorgan.
The villages around Kenfig escaped lightly - an unexploded bomb that was found at Ty Tanglwst, South Cornelly on the
19th October 1940.
German Gun c.1925Captured German Gun near original Coastguard Station, Porthcawl - this was captured during the First
World War and was displayed close to the coastguard station.
During WWII the country was short of iron & steel - the Government held a 'scrap drive'
where all iron gates & railings were requisitioned including this field gun.
Porthcawl Harbour 1954Two RAF Air Sea Rescue launches at their moorings.
From the outbreak of WWII they saved many airmen who had ditched in the Bristol Channel
together with rescuing many holiday makers.
On 31 March 1959 the RAF Marine base ceased as an operational unit.
RAF Stormy Down Aerial View 1946 - Image © Crown CopyrightThe Royal Air Force aerodrome on Stormy Down served a very important role in the training of both air
and ground crews during the 1939-45 War.
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Local Pill Boxes
Local defences build in 1940 around the Kenfig area
Learn more... Local Pill Boxes
RAF Stormy DownThe History of a Training Aerodrome 1934-47
The Royal Air Force aerodrome on Stormy Down served a very important role in the training
of both air and ground crews during the 1939-45 War.
Learn more... RAF Stormy Down
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ISLAND FARM POW CAMP
POW Drawings from the Hut Walls
The following photos of German POW drawings from the hut walls at Island Farm POW Camp have been kindly donated to this
website project by Mr Phil Jones, North Cornelly. The photos were taken on 01 June 1993 prior to the camp's demolition.
These photos have been digitally scanned & enhanced by Mr Rob Bowen (Kenfig.org Local Community Group) -
All photos in this section remain the copyright of Mr Phil Jones © Phil Jones. All rights reserved.
Read more... Island Farm POW Camp
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EXPLORE WAR YEARS AROUND KENFIG |
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AROUND KENFIGLocal Evacuees
What the local Papers said... 1939-45
Local War Graves
Local ATC Organisations
VE Day Celevrations
Local War Memorials
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BRITISH ARMYDUTCH IN PORTHCAWLUS FORCES - MARGAMUS FORCES - KENFIGPORTHCAWL AT WAR |
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3rd Party Copyright
Information used throughout this section
3rd party copyright © Mike Mansley (Porthcawl at War 1939-1945)
Home Guard (Porthcawl); Royal Observer Corps (Porthcawl); Royal Dutch Troops (Porthcawl);
15th Battalion The Welch Regiment (Porthcawl); 49th West Riding Reconnaisance Regiment;
5th Battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment; 4th Monmouthshire Battalion; RAF Air Sea Rescue Marine Craft
Unit (Porthcawl); Auxillary AFS & National Fire Services; Glamorgan Constabulary; Search Light
& Anti Aircraft Batteries; Air Raid Precautions (ARP); The Red Cross (Joint War Organisation);
St John Ambulance (Joint War Organisation); RAF Stormy Down; Porthcawl at War.
Information & photos originally researched by Mike Mansley (Porthcawl at War 1939-1945)
and part re-published online strictly for educational purposes only - 3rd party copyright © Mike Mansley
(Porthcawl at War 1939-1945) - (First Printed 1994 - ISBN 0 9523152 0 3)
Information edited & sub-edited for online purposes || Rob Bowen - Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2009-2011
3rd party copyright © JDV Ludlow (Royal Ordnance Factory, Bridgend - A brief history 1936-1946)
Information & photos originally researched by JDV Ludlow (The Royal Ordnance Factory - A brief history 1936-1946)
and part re-published online strictly for educational purposes only - 3rd party copyright © JDV Ludlow 2004.
Information edited & sub-edited for online purposes || Rob Bowen - Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2009-2011
3rd party copyright © Brett Exton & Shawn Bohannon (Island Farm POW Camp, Bridgend)
Information & photos originally researched by Brett Exton & Shawn Bohannon
(Island Farm Prisoner of War Camp: 198/Special Camp: XI, Bridgend, South Wales - 1944-48)
and part re-published online strictly for educational purposes only - 3rd party copyright © Brett Exton & Shawn Bohannon.
Information edited & sub-edited for online purposes || Rob Bowen - Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2009-2011
Online ResourcesFurther Info
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AcknowledgementsBibliography
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Related Sections
Home Guard
Local Defence Volunteers
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In May 1940 a decision was taken by the War Cabinet to strengthen the Regular and Territorial Army by recruiting
men between the ages of 17 and 65 who were not already engaged in civil defence activities.
The new force was called the Local Defence Volunteers and by July 1940 it had grown to around 1.5 million men;
in that month it was renamed the Home Guard.
Royal Observer Corps
Locks Lane, Porthcawl
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Hidden in a field next to Locks Lane, Porthcawl until April 1994 was an underground operations room.
Built in 1961 on the site of a wartime surface observation post - the original wooden structure was built in 1938
for what was the Observer Corps. The observation post at Porthcawl commissioned in 1938 consisted of a wooden shed topped by a tower giving
excellent views over the Bristol Channel.
The Royal Dutch Troops
Dan-y-Graig Camp, Porthcawl
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First billeted in Haverfordwest then moved to Dan-y-Graig, Porthcawl the Dutch soldiers were accommodated in tents.
Out of 1460 who arrived, 120 were officiers, 360 were senior NCO's and 980 corporals and privates. Collectively they were
known as the 'Royal Dutch Troops' and also as the Dutch Legion until 27 August 1941 when Queen Wilhelmina presented them
with a standard in the name of 'Prinses Irene Brigade'.
Kenfig Hill during World War II
Pyle & Kenfig Hill Air Raid Wardens
Pyle & Kenfig Hill Air Raid Wardens
St Theodores Church after bombing raid
Identity Card
V.E. Day Celebrations
Maudlam & Ton Kenfig
Anderson Shelter at Maudlam
Communial Shelter at Kenfig
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) - An important part of Wales' documentary heritage
EXPLORE KENFIG - THE COMPLETE HISTORY (e-RESOURCE)
History |
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THE KENFIG HERITAGE PROJECTDocumenting history of Kenfig & surrounding area from Prehistory to the Present Day
This website project documents the entire factual history of the old Kenfig Borough / old Bro Cynffig from pre-historic times to the
present day providing a comprehensive digital documentary of life in South Wales.
This website project is operated as a not for profit organisation which is part sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government & Bridgend
County Borough Council & has been granted Heritage Status by the National Library of Wales. This website is being archived for posterity
through both the National Library of Wales & British Library.
This website is also listed as an online educational resource that can be used for the teaching of local history that forms a part of the
Curriculum Cymreig in Wales. Our website aims are to provide a World Class online Educational Resource that will aide both the Nations Heritage
& Education network in Wales and the wider world.
Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)copyright © 2003-2011 (www.kenfig.org.uk / www.cynffig.org.uk). All Rights Reserved.
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