Peace and conflict

Heddwch Natur a Rhyfela

Aberavon Beach

During World War Two, people who lived in Baglan thought the Nazis might be able to land on Aberavon beach because it was so long and flat. To stop this from happening, big concrete pillars were put up to separate the parts of the beach, luckily the Nazis never landed on the beach.

Dillwyn Thomas

Dillwyn Thomas was an 18 year old man who lived in Baglan in World War Two. Halfway through the War he was tasked with the job of blowing up the steelworks if the Nazis were to invade. Thankfully his service was never needed. Sadly, he is no longer alive.

Underground Bunker

On Pentwyn, Baglan Road, there is a petrol station with a hidden bunker under it. It was built in World War Two and is still there today. It was there in case the Nazis came so the people of Baglan could escape there.

World War Two in Margam

Port Talbot and the surrounding area was a target during WW2 because of the steel works. The Nazi's wanted to taret the ports and goods to stop the import of essential goods.

American soldiers were based in Margam, working hand-in-hand with the British troops to protect the land. Troops were often found training on local beaches in Aberavon, Pyle and Kenfig.

Morfa beach was used to practice D-Day landings and fighting. They would practice using military tanks. One day, a military tank got stuck in the middle of the sand. It still remains there and when the tide is low, it can still be seen.

Here is the military tank that remains on Morfa beach.

Information and memories of Baglan during World War Two provided by Mrs Judith Rees

There was an Air Raid Shelter on Old Road, near where the church is.

"When I was a baby during the War, an incendiary (fire bomb) hit our family home but it did not explode. It came through the roof, hit dressing table in the bedroom, then went through the ceiling and onto the dining table. The bomb did not explode but the windows blew out and the curtains caught on fire."

We had evacuees stay with us at our family home during the War. They were both boys; My cousin (John Walker) and the other was his neighbour. They were originally from Kenilworth but travelled to Baglan because Coventry was being bombed.

There were allotments on Old Road, Baglan was small at this time. These allotments were opposite our home. During the War, someone began to steal vegetables and produce from the allotments. My father decided to camp out all night and took the two boys with him. They caught the thief. The boys later on in life said that was the best adventure they had ever experienced.

Years later, John Walker travelled back to Baglan with his grandson to show him the home he lived in during, “the happiest days of my life”. He spoke to a lady on Old Road and asked for information on my parents and our home but the lady he spoke to had not made the connection that it was Mr and Mrs Evans he was looking for. The lady made him a cup of tea. He travelled back to Southampton and wrote a letter of thank you to the lady for her hospitality. Years later, when the gentleman had then passed away, I came to know of what had happened on that day.

"I can remember my mother telling me that one day she was walking along the main road in Baglan with me as a baby in the pram. GI lorries passed with American soldiers whistling and full of life. They threw chewing gum and stockings into the pram."

A postcard sent by Walter Loveys during World War 1 from a prisoner of war camp in Germany., two months before the war ended.

Baglan butcher Eddie House - Aged 21

The wedding of Baglan butcher Eddie House to Barbara on July 30th 1941

Wartime Romance

Here is the story of an American army general who fell in love with a local Welsh girl named Monica during his stay at Margam Castle in 1944 when he was 26 years old.

Port Talbot Girl Weds U.S. Officer

Here is a newspaper report based on the wedding of Warrant Officer David Thomas Jenkins and Olga Kathleen Ace at Bethany Church, Port Talbot.

Remember Me

As part of our topic work, pupils were asked to chat with family members about Baglan during the war. We had many incredible artefacts and memorabilia items brought to school. A pupil in Year 4 brought a button to school. Her grandmother explained to her that during the war she fell in love with a GI soldier staying at Margam. They were coating for a little while before he had to return to America. They were both disappointed but the GI tore a button from his uniform, handed it to the lady and said, "remember me". She kept the button safe forever, he never returned. She then went on to marry a local man and lived happily.

Heddwch a Rhyfela - Cymru

Gwefan Heddwch a Rhyfela - Cymru

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