Swansea Family History

 BBC recently showed a special edition of Saving Lives “ Saving Lives at Sea in World War II ”, the program presented by y Dermot O’Leary looked at the courage acts of lifeboat crews around the country saving lives at sea.  From 1939 to 1945, 6,376 lives had been saved.  Sadly, there was no mention of the Mumbles Lifeboat. In her article “ The Mumbles Lifeboat ‘A Constant Devotion: 1939-45’”, Kate Jones writes …….” But it was the ‘miraculous and magnificent’ rescue of 42 officers and men on board the badly damaged HMCS Chebogue that had run aground on Port Talbot bar during a gale in October 1944 that was regarded as on the most courageous.   For his conspicuous gallantry Coxswain William Gammon was awarded the RNLI’s highest honour, a Gold Medal, along with the Maud Smith Award for the bravest rescue of the year.   Bowman Tom Ace and Mechanic William Gilbert Davies received Bronze Medals.   The rest of the crew – lifeboat veterans (two in their ‘70s) as the younger men had been ca

Luke Jones Bessent Months after the outbreak of the First World War, Mr. Luke Jones Bessent died.  Mr. Bessent's residence was 2 Langland Road, Mumbles.  His occupation for the last 37 years was headmaster of Oystermouth Council Schools, where he was held by the highest esteem by all those that knew him.  His funeral was reported in the Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Reporter , 4th December 1914. Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Reporter But who was Luke Jones Bessent?   In this article we will be looking at his history. Luke was born 1858 and was the son of Charles Bessent and Eliza Jones. At the time of the 1861 Census, the Bessent family were residing at 284 Aberdyberthi Street, Swansea.    Luke aged 3.    His father, Charles aged 35 is employed as a Railway Police.   He is born Wiltshire, also his mother, Eliza is born here.   The eldest children having been born in different parts of the country, James, 13 and Maria, 14, both born in Gloucestershire. George C., 11 an

HMS  Ascot  On the eve of the Armistice, 10 th November 1918, HMS Ascot was sunk by a torpedo fired by UB-67 off the Farne Islands, Northumberland, making her the last ship to have been sunk during the First World War.  All hands were lost, totalling 50. Today the wreck lies in a dept of 200 ft. HMS Ascot having been launched January 1916 was a paddle minesweeper, 800-tons and 235 feet long of the Racecourse Class .   In total there were 32 paddlewheel coastal minesweeping sloops in this class.   Their roles, these small vessels having been designed to remove or detonate naval mines, by using a variety of methods, and to keep the waterways clear for safe shipping. One of those, who was to lose his life was Francis Arthur Richards. Francis, 37, was a Leading Trimmer.   A trimmer role within a ship was the dirtiest and physically and demanding job on board the ship.   A trimmer would replenish the coal pile that was needed by the fireman. Their roles also required that any fire

Question what is the connection between artist James Dickson Innes and poet Dylan Thomas? James Dickson Innes  Innes was a painter, his subject included landscapes, occasionally figure.   He painted in both watercolours and oils. Innes was born 1887, Llanelli.   Educated at Christ College, Brecon. James, then studied afterwards at Carmarthen School of Art, where he won a scholarship to study at the Slade School of Art, London.   His teachers at Slade, included Henry Tonks and P. Wilson Steer. Augustus John Walter Sickert Whilst still studying Innes, exhibited with the New English Art Club, 1907.   The New English Art Club, London was founded 1885 and was the alternative venue to the Royal Academy.   1911, Innes became a member of the Camden Town Group, which had been founded that year and was only active until 1913.   Other members included Walter Sickert who was an influence in Innes’ art, also Augustus John, who became good friends with Innes. Chenil Gallery, London was the ven

  Alexander Lockhart Ogston headstone Oystermouth Cemetery credit: Findagrave Alexander Lockhart Ogston , who is buried at Oystermouth Cemetery, died February 1919. Alexander was born June 1887, Aberdeen.   He was the son of Alexander Ogston and Margaret Isbella nee Matthews.   Having been privately educated, Alexander was an architect.   At the time of the 1911 Census, Alexander, 23, is a boarder residing at Annie Orr’s Boarding House, 32 Brunswick Square, London.   His occupation is listed as Architect.   Also, residing at the same address, is his younger brother, Rannald Frederick Logie, 21.   His occupation, Stockbroker. 1911 Census Annie Orr’s Boarding House, 32 Brunswick Square, London Navy Lists 1888-1970 November 1914 was gazette 2 nd Lieutenant with the Royal Marine Artillery having enlisted for active service.  The Royal Marine Artillery were formed as a separate unit during 1804, they were to man the artillery in bomb ketches, they were previously by the Army Royal Regi