A Liberal Townsman | Daniel Herbert Lloyd
In October 1941, Bridgend-born Sub-Lt Brian Lloyd was killed on a special mission from HMS Urge. While researching Brian and his connection to Bridgend, I came across his grandfather Daniel Herbert Lloyd.
Born in October 1850, Daniel was one of five children born to Charles and Elizabeth Lloyd of Pontypridd.
The 1851 Census tells us that Daniel, then aged 6 months and his mother were living at Glyntaf in Pontypridd. By 1861, the Lloyd family had moved to ‘Tumble’ in Llantwit Fawdre.
At an early age, Daniel was apprenticed to a grocer in Pontypridd. In July 1870, Daniel left Pontypridd and became manager at ‘Ewenny Shop’ in Caroline Street in Bridgend. ‘Ewenny Shop’ was owned by Hugh Bevan. As well as the ‘Ewenny Shop’, Hugh had two other branches: one at Maesteg and another at ‘Emlyn House’ on the corner of Caroline Street.
The 1871 Census tells us that Daniel lived with Hugh Bevan at ‘Emlyn House’ Listed as a ‘Shopworker’, Daniel lived with Bevan’s other employees above the shop with a kitchen and dining area below shop level. Hugh also employed a housekeeper and household staff.
On the 10th of February 1874, Daniel married Elizabeth Anne Morgan at the Old Hope Chapel on Queen Street. Born in 1849, Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward and Jane Morgan of Dunraven Place. Edward was a cabinetmaker and furnisher.
They had eight children: Leoline (b.1878), Walter (b.1879), Dora (b.1880), Lillian (b.1882), Percivil (b.1883), Charles (b.1884) and stillborn twins.
In 1880, Hugh and Daniel entered a partnership and established ‘Bevan & Lloyd Provisions Merchants.’ The 1881 Census tells us that Daniel and his family lived at 29 Park Street. His occupation is listed as ‘Grocer’. Daniel also employed two domestic servants.
In November 1883, The Western Mail reported that Daniel was summoned to court for trespassing on the Gellyrbaidd Branch of the Great Western Railway. A witness described that Daniel was defiant when asked to leave but continued a mile along the track. Daniel was cautioned again and replied: “I will proceed even if it were the last time in my life.” Daniel did not answer the summons. He was fined 40s and solicitor costs.
The next few years were full of tragedy for the Lloyd family. In August 1881, Walter died aged 2 years old. In 1883, their son Percival died aged 10 weeks. In 1885, Elizabeth tragically died while giving birth to stillborn twins.
Their eldest son Leoline recalled his mother's death: “(she)... lay in her coffin, her red hair spread in a fan around her. In her arms lay her dead newborn twins- Ernest and Walter.”
Elizabeth and her four children were buried at St Illtyd’s Church, Newcastle Hill. By this time, Daniel had become a Deacon at the Old Hope Chapel and officiated the burial ceremonies.
On the 12th of January 1888, Daniel married Sarah Alice Powell at St Mary’s Church, Monknash. Sarah was the daughter of Griffith and Ann Powell of Ty’n y Caeau in Monknash.
Daniel and Sarah had five children: Cyril (b.1888), Elizabeth (b.1890), Vernon (b.1891), Iris (b.1841) and Neville (b.1898).
Following the retirement of Hugh Bevan, Daniel became the sole proprietor of the business. In 1890 it officially became ‘Bevan & Lloyd Co.’
Business was flourishing and by the time of the 1891 Census, Daniel and his family had purchased and moved to ‘Wainskeel House’. ‘Wainskeel House’ was a Georgian mansion situated on the site of the now Wainskil Avenue.
Daniel’s occupation was listed as a ‘Provisions Merchant’ and at home, the family employed a governess, nurse, cook and housemaid. Following the death of his father in 1899, Daniel’s mother moved to Bridgend to be with her son. She lived with her son and his family until she died in 1906.
On the 1st of July 1893, Sara, Cyril and a family friend, Miss Edmondes, were involved in a carriage accident near Ewenny Bridge. The horse pulling their carriage became startled, suddenly bolted and flung all occupants across the road. Cyril, then aged 2, was trapped under the carriage but along with Miss Edmondes escaped without injury. Sara, on the other hand, suffered a fractured thigh and was severely bruised.
Described as ‘Liberal Man’, we can assume that Daniel was influenced by his late employer, Hugh Bevan. Hugh was a man of religion, temperance and liberal views. He was well-known as a preacher on the non-conformist circuit and travelled through Britain as a preacher. Daniel followed in his footsteps.
Daniel was a Deacon at Hope Baptist Chapel for over 50 years. He was the main contributor to the erection of the new Hope Baptist Chapel on Station Hill.
He was heavily involved in local politics, he was a member of the Urban District Council, a Bridgend Health Board, Bridgend Board of Guardians.
A founding member of the South Wales Liberal Federation, Daniel stood as a Liberal Candidate in the Bridgend Urban District Elections. In 1904, Daniel was involved in welcoming David Lloyd George to Bridgend.
He was a founding member of many institutions with us today including Bridgend Town Rugby Football Club, Bridgend Traders Association, and Bridgend Chamber of Trade.
Daniel was a school governor and was instrumental in establishing Bridgend Intermediate School - now Penybont Primary School. Daniel provided part of the land (then known as ‘Coity Fields’) for Bridgend Intermediate School.
Before establishing the Intermediate School, Daniel’s children were educated at various boarding schools in England and Europe. As governor, Daniel wanted to lead by example and transferred his children from boarding school to be educated there.
Interestingly (or perhaps not) Daniel was responsible for constructing the streets surrounding the school: Morfa Street, Vernon Street, Charles Street, Acland Road and Herbert Street. He named two streets after family members: Charles Street after his father and Vernon Street after his son. He named Herbert Street after himself!
He retired from public life in 1916 and his eldest son, Leoline, took over his business.
Daniel died on the 12th of May 1922, following a long and drawn-out illness.
Daniel’s funeral took place on the 16th of May. The procession went from ‘The Heath’ to Hope Baptist Chapel for a public service officiated by Rev Thomas Davies & Rev J Kettle. Daniel was buried at Bridgend Cemetery.
Fantastic research and so engagingly written, as always