E. Thomas & Williams Ltd, Aberdare
compiled by Rod Jenkins | ed. Brian Davies
Below can be found a series of information on the world renowned Aberdare based mining safety lamp manufacturer E. Thomas & Williams Ltd. The company is an amazing story of innovation and success, where the tenacity and ingenuity of two local entrepreneurs, led a small Aberdare business to become a world lead in its field, exporting to every corner of the globe
E. Thomas & Williams is the focal point of the FREE monthly exhibition at St Elvan's in July and is supported by a 15 Minute Heritage grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Full information is available below, while details of exhibition dates and timings is available in the Exhibitions section of the website here
E. Thomas & Williams is the focal point of the FREE monthly exhibition at St Elvan's in July and is supported by a 15 Minute Heritage grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Full information is available below, while details of exhibition dates and timings is available in the Exhibitions section of the website here
Mining Safety Lamps
The naked flames in mines caused many explosions and subsequent casualties. In 1812 an underground explosion of methane gas ignited by a candle killed 92 men and boys in the Felling Pit, County Durham. This was the worst mining explosion yet, and a committee was set up to encourage the development of a safe miners' lamp.
Humphrey Davy, a Cornish scientist, produced the most successful early lamp. George Stephenson, later a famous railway engineer, also produced a safe lamp. William Reid Clanny, an Irish doctor at Sunderland, had already made a safe lamp, but it was too cumbersome to be practical.
The Clanny lamp used a small glass aperture around the flame with a gauze cylinder above it. Although the idea of the safety lamp had already been demonstrated by Clanny and by the then unknown (but later very famous) engineer George Stephenson, Davy's use of wire gauze to prevent the spread of flame was used by many other inventors in their later designs
No lamp in use at that time entirely prevented inexplicable explosions. In 1886 the Royal Commission finally decided in favour of four lamps:
‘in which the quality of safety, to a pre-eminent degree, is combined with a simplicity of construction, and with an illuminating power at least fully equal to that of lamps hitherto in general use”
The Thomas & Williams No 7 gave overall the best results
Humphrey Davy, a Cornish scientist, produced the most successful early lamp. George Stephenson, later a famous railway engineer, also produced a safe lamp. William Reid Clanny, an Irish doctor at Sunderland, had already made a safe lamp, but it was too cumbersome to be practical.
The Clanny lamp used a small glass aperture around the flame with a gauze cylinder above it. Although the idea of the safety lamp had already been demonstrated by Clanny and by the then unknown (but later very famous) engineer George Stephenson, Davy's use of wire gauze to prevent the spread of flame was used by many other inventors in their later designs
No lamp in use at that time entirely prevented inexplicable explosions. In 1886 the Royal Commission finally decided in favour of four lamps:
‘in which the quality of safety, to a pre-eminent degree, is combined with a simplicity of construction, and with an illuminating power at least fully equal to that of lamps hitherto in general use”
The Thomas & Williams No 7 gave overall the best results
In 1867 Evan Thomas patented an improvement to the design of the safety lamp. The lamp he used was a later Clanny lamp, with a cylinder of glass around the flame, and Evan Thomas used rubber rings above and below the glass. These kept the lamp air-tight while allowing the glass to expand as it was heated by the flame
Thomas's best-selling lamp, the "No. 7", was successful in passing tests set in 1886 by the Royal Commission on Accidents in Mines; it was selected as one of the four recommended types of lamps. It was not plain sailing, and the company was embroiled in a patent dispute
As well as his lamp business he continued in ironmongery and in 1879, went into partnership with John Davies in the ironmongery business he ran in Ferndale. Thomas also exhibited under his own name at the 1881 International Electric Exhibition at Crystal Palace
In 1877 the business moved to new premises at Graig Street just off Monk Street, Aberdare as the Cambrian Lamp works
Thomas's best-selling lamp, the "No. 7", was successful in passing tests set in 1886 by the Royal Commission on Accidents in Mines; it was selected as one of the four recommended types of lamps. It was not plain sailing, and the company was embroiled in a patent dispute
As well as his lamp business he continued in ironmongery and in 1879, went into partnership with John Davies in the ironmongery business he ran in Ferndale. Thomas also exhibited under his own name at the 1881 International Electric Exhibition at Crystal Palace
In 1877 the business moved to new premises at Graig Street just off Monk Street, Aberdare as the Cambrian Lamp works
Evan Thomas, (1829-1887)
Evan Thomas was born in 1829 at Glynneath and lived in Morgan Street and then at 8 Gadlys Terrace. In 1852 Evan married Jane Jones Else of Merthyr, they had one son Henry. He was one of the first tradesmen in the town who took an active interest in all public movements being elected as High Constable in 1872 and to the Local Board of Health in 1875
An obvious feature in his character was his philanthropy – he was always ready to do his part to relieve pain and suffering, and to help a worthy cause. He spoke often of the relationship that existed between the employer and the employed, and said their interests were mutual. He was willing to do all in his power to serve them. He often invited his employees to his house on the Gadlys for an elegant and substantial dinner prepared and served by himself and his wife Jane
When the volunteer corps was formed, he obtained a commission as Ensign, and acquired the reputation of being an excellent shot. Thomas was a member of the St David’s lodge of Freemasons who became master in 1875. He was a lifelong supporter of the Unitarian Church and a staunch liberal in politics. He died aged 58 in 1887 at his home in Aberdare
An obvious feature in his character was his philanthropy – he was always ready to do his part to relieve pain and suffering, and to help a worthy cause. He spoke often of the relationship that existed between the employer and the employed, and said their interests were mutual. He was willing to do all in his power to serve them. He often invited his employees to his house on the Gadlys for an elegant and substantial dinner prepared and served by himself and his wife Jane
When the volunteer corps was formed, he obtained a commission as Ensign, and acquired the reputation of being an excellent shot. Thomas was a member of the St David’s lodge of Freemasons who became master in 1875. He was a lifelong supporter of the Unitarian Church and a staunch liberal in politics. He died aged 58 in 1887 at his home in Aberdare
Lewis Noah Williams (1845 - 1919)
Lewis Williams was born in the Stag Hotel, Harriet Street. Trecynon, a house kept by his father, Mr William Williams (Carw Coch). His father, bardic name, Carw Coch was a noted Welsh bard and litterateur and was the organiser of a series of meetings at the Stag Hotel which are known as Eisteddfodau y Carw Coch. Mr. Lewis Williams at the age of 10 years published a volume of his father’s poems and essays, edited by the Rev. J. Jones, the essays are of great historical value
William Williams was a thorough democrat with strong Liberal sympathies and presided at a local Chartist meeting. For this he was victimised by his employers, and was not only dismissed, but was refused work by other employers. It is from this background that Lewis Williams went on to become a model employer of labour and a director of several local companies
Lewis’s parents were very enamoured with societies and that Lewis, as a boy, should join the Iolo Morgannwg Lodge of Oddfellows held at the Stag Hotel and he was initiated in 1854 when only 8 years old
From an early age Lewis was an ardent Friendly Society man and was for many years a member of the Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites, and as an Oddfellow. his case was somewhat unique in the fact that his parents were so enamoured with and partial to societies that the boy (Lewis) must join the Iolo Morgannwg Lodge of Oddfellows held at their house, Stag Hotel, and was initiated therein on 31st January 1854, when only 8 years of age and remained a trustee of his Lodge for many years, being elected its Vice President In 1890 and Provincial Grand Master of the Aberdare District of the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity in 1891
He filled many public roles and had occupied almost every position of honour in the district. He was a member of the Aberdare District Council for 20 years, and an ex-chairman member of the Court of Governors of the University of Wales; a Governor of the Aberdare County Schools; an ex-high Constable of Miskin Higher (1895), all of which offices he filled with dignity and tact
Lewis Williams was a staunch Unitarian, belonging to Hen Dy Cwrdd, Trecynon, and acted as a precentor and occupied nearly every position of honour. He was the first Secretary of the South Wales Unitarian Society; was President of the Welsh Unitarian Association in 1898; was one of the founders and first Secretaries of the South Society, and afterwards Treasurer and later President for two years. He helped to revive Highland Place Church, in 1886. He was a musician of no mean skill, had a very fine baritone voice, and he was conductor of the second musical festival ever held by the denomination in South Wales. Lewis lived at Cae Coed next to the Cambrian Lampworks in Graig Street Aberdare he had a daughter and four sons. He died at the age of 74 in February 1919
William Williams was a thorough democrat with strong Liberal sympathies and presided at a local Chartist meeting. For this he was victimised by his employers, and was not only dismissed, but was refused work by other employers. It is from this background that Lewis Williams went on to become a model employer of labour and a director of several local companies
Lewis’s parents were very enamoured with societies and that Lewis, as a boy, should join the Iolo Morgannwg Lodge of Oddfellows held at the Stag Hotel and he was initiated in 1854 when only 8 years old
From an early age Lewis was an ardent Friendly Society man and was for many years a member of the Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites, and as an Oddfellow. his case was somewhat unique in the fact that his parents were so enamoured with and partial to societies that the boy (Lewis) must join the Iolo Morgannwg Lodge of Oddfellows held at their house, Stag Hotel, and was initiated therein on 31st January 1854, when only 8 years of age and remained a trustee of his Lodge for many years, being elected its Vice President In 1890 and Provincial Grand Master of the Aberdare District of the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity in 1891
He filled many public roles and had occupied almost every position of honour in the district. He was a member of the Aberdare District Council for 20 years, and an ex-chairman member of the Court of Governors of the University of Wales; a Governor of the Aberdare County Schools; an ex-high Constable of Miskin Higher (1895), all of which offices he filled with dignity and tact
Lewis Williams was a staunch Unitarian, belonging to Hen Dy Cwrdd, Trecynon, and acted as a precentor and occupied nearly every position of honour. He was the first Secretary of the South Wales Unitarian Society; was President of the Welsh Unitarian Association in 1898; was one of the founders and first Secretaries of the South Society, and afterwards Treasurer and later President for two years. He helped to revive Highland Place Church, in 1886. He was a musician of no mean skill, had a very fine baritone voice, and he was conductor of the second musical festival ever held by the denomination in South Wales. Lewis lived at Cae Coed next to the Cambrian Lampworks in Graig Street Aberdare he had a daughter and four sons. He died at the age of 74 in February 1919
Cambrian Lamp Works (1877)
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During the 1880s and 1890s the company exhibited lamps at various important industrial exhibitions, winning many prestigious awards including the gold medal at the London Mining Exhibition
The expansion of the coal industry was creating an active home market for their goods and exports were also on the increase with goods being exported to countries such as Australia, India, South Africa, Canada, America, and Russia In 1890, the lamps won gold medals for the firm at the London International Exhibition of Mining and Metallurgies but, regrettably, Evan Thomas did not live to see the full fruits of his considerable expertise and success In the early 1900s Lewis Williams patented several important improvements to the design of the safety lamp. One of them was challenged by the firm of Ackroyd and Best, but they lost their case and the Aberdare Times reported that "there was a sound of revelry at the Cambrian Lamp Works
A newspaper article on the case is included here |
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E.Thomas & Williams Ltd. (1907)
In 1907 the business became a limited company operating under the name of E. Thomas & Williams Ltd
The coming of the First World War saw the company making shell casings for the Army, with the workforce reaching 70. The years between the wars were not so successful however and the depression led to a decline in business and a cut in the workforce. It was the Second World War, which brought about an upturn in their business, with the company winning contracts from the Ministry of Supply for the manufacture of steel parts and a small battery operated "Lightbuoy" designed to locate survivors from torpedoed ships
In 1919, Mr. Lewis Williams, died at the age of 75, and his eldest son, Mr. E.D. Williams became Managing Director. At the time, the second son, a Regular Army Officer, Major, Acting Lieutenant Colonel R.D. Williams. He had a distinguished war service having won the D.S.O. for gallantry. In 1920, he resigned his commission and returned to join the company, as Company Secretary. His return coincided with the unrest in the coal industry, with strikes and lockouts being very much the order of the day. The Depression years were starting. While there were no labour problems in the Company itself - over 100 people were employed at the time - the draughts of trouble in the coal industry were severely felt by the firm
The commencement of the Second World War in September 1939 saw the Company regain the momentum lost some 20 years earlier. In addition to the reviving demand for safety lamps, contracts were obtained from the ministry of supply for the manufacture of steel parts and also a small battery ‘light-buoy', which when thrown overboard from a ship stricken by shell fire or torpedo, would float on the water - the light blinking intermittently which marked the area where survivors could be found and rescued. This was another manufacture in keeping with the firm's long tradition of making reliable equipment for the protection of human life. At this time the workforce was in the region of 40 employees
In 1919, Mr. Lewis Williams, died at the age of 75, and his eldest son, Mr. E.D. Williams became Managing Director. At the time, the second son, a Regular Army Officer, Major, Acting Lieutenant Colonel R.D. Williams. He had a distinguished war service having won the D.S.O. for gallantry. In 1920, he resigned his commission and returned to join the company, as Company Secretary. His return coincided with the unrest in the coal industry, with strikes and lockouts being very much the order of the day. The Depression years were starting. While there were no labour problems in the Company itself - over 100 people were employed at the time - the draughts of trouble in the coal industry were severely felt by the firm
The commencement of the Second World War in September 1939 saw the Company regain the momentum lost some 20 years earlier. In addition to the reviving demand for safety lamps, contracts were obtained from the ministry of supply for the manufacture of steel parts and also a small battery ‘light-buoy', which when thrown overboard from a ship stricken by shell fire or torpedo, would float on the water - the light blinking intermittently which marked the area where survivors could be found and rescued. This was another manufacture in keeping with the firm's long tradition of making reliable equipment for the protection of human life. At this time the workforce was in the region of 40 employees
W. R. Donovan (1941 - 2009)
In 1941, Walter Randal Donovan, known as John, joined the firm as a junior clerk straight from Aberdare County School, an event significant in the future fortunes in the history of the Cambrian Lamp Works and he bought the company in 1978
In 1946, Mr. E.D. Williams who had followed his father Lewis as Managing Director died and was succeeded by Major R.D. Williams D.S.O.
But the work of the Company went ahead apace, but when the war ended, the introduction of the electric lamp for coal mines gradually replaced the oil lamp as a source of underground lighting. The oil lamp, of course, was still of great importance for the detection of methane gas and an oxygen deficient atmosphere underground. The decline of the coal industry in the UK forced management to look for alternatives for its workforce
It was the company's practice of manufacturing Cambrian Miners' Lamps for presentation to political, military and sporting dignitaries that was to provide a solution to their problem. Very soon the company's product was to find its way into shops all around the world. This departure into the gift market did not however signal an end to the production of safety lamps. The Cambrian Safety Lamp was still seen as an essential tool for detecting dangerous gas build ups and was used in collieries, ships holds and sewers
In 1946, Mr. E.D. Williams who had followed his father Lewis as Managing Director died and was succeeded by Major R.D. Williams D.S.O.
But the work of the Company went ahead apace, but when the war ended, the introduction of the electric lamp for coal mines gradually replaced the oil lamp as a source of underground lighting. The oil lamp, of course, was still of great importance for the detection of methane gas and an oxygen deficient atmosphere underground. The decline of the coal industry in the UK forced management to look for alternatives for its workforce
It was the company's practice of manufacturing Cambrian Miners' Lamps for presentation to political, military and sporting dignitaries that was to provide a solution to their problem. Very soon the company's product was to find its way into shops all around the world. This departure into the gift market did not however signal an end to the production of safety lamps. The Cambrian Safety Lamp was still seen as an essential tool for detecting dangerous gas build ups and was used in collieries, ships holds and sewers
In 1960, Major R.D. Williams, a familiar figure in the town died, and the final family connection with the firm, ended. Mr. W.R. Donovan, who had joined the firm, in 1941 was appointed to a newly formed Board of Directors
A new avenue opened in 1969, the year of the investiture of the H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, Charles. A committee whose members’ included Lord Snowdon was set up to examine the quality of activities to be offered the public commemorating the historic event
The Company submitted its lamp products and were delighted when Certificates of Excellence in Quality and Design were received from the Snowdon Committee. Favourable comment in the press and television followed. Types of lamps produced for the occasion were put on permanent display at the London Design Centre. It was at this period that the Company made its first serious attempt to sell mining lamps outside the mining industry, an attempt which proved to be enormously successful
A new avenue opened in 1969, the year of the investiture of the H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, Charles. A committee whose members’ included Lord Snowdon was set up to examine the quality of activities to be offered the public commemorating the historic event
The Company submitted its lamp products and were delighted when Certificates of Excellence in Quality and Design were received from the Snowdon Committee. Favourable comment in the press and television followed. Types of lamps produced for the occasion were put on permanent display at the London Design Centre. It was at this period that the Company made its first serious attempt to sell mining lamps outside the mining industry, an attempt which proved to be enormously successful
The 1978 Fire
In 1976, Mr. W.R. Donovan climbed the final rung of the ladder on which he had made his first tentative steps as a 14-year-old clerk in 1941. He became Managing Director, a success story due to application and diligence indeed. Regrettably, only two years later, in 1978 the original premises in Graig Street, Foundry Town were destroyed by fire and Aberdare had lost one of its most historic and familiar buildings.
With the building went all machinery, tooling, drawings, raw materials, and most of the unfinished stock. To regard the fire as a serious set-back is nothing short of a gross understatement. The company however continued to operate from a new factory in Robertstown. In 2009 (John) Donovan “of the world-famous miners’ lamp works in Aberdare" died aged 83 after a short illness
With the building went all machinery, tooling, drawings, raw materials, and most of the unfinished stock. To regard the fire as a serious set-back is nothing short of a gross understatement. The company however continued to operate from a new factory in Robertstown. In 2009 (John) Donovan “of the world-famous miners’ lamp works in Aberdare" died aged 83 after a short illness
E. Thomas & Williams Today
E. Thomas & Williams continue to sell approx. 1500 fine crafted lamps per month for sale around the world and are the only approved manufacturer of safety lamps in Wales
Now, 70% of the factory output goes for export to countries as widespread as America, Canada, Scandinavia and throughout Europe with only a small proportion used in mining. It is hoped that the appearance of cheap imitation lamps on the market will not affect the sales and possibly the future of this long-established local company that has been in existence over 140 years
Evan Thomas & Williams were believed to be the oldest surviving firm of safety lamp manufacturers in the world
The company continues to operate from Aberdare and has a wealth of additional historical information and resources available on their own website. For further information visit www.ethomasandwilliamsltd.com
They remain an incredible and inspirational Aberdare success story and we are delighted to feature an exhibition about the company, their product development and contribution to worldwide mining safety here at St Elvan's
For further information on this FREE exhibition and viewing times, visit www.stelvans.com/exhibitions
Now, 70% of the factory output goes for export to countries as widespread as America, Canada, Scandinavia and throughout Europe with only a small proportion used in mining. It is hoped that the appearance of cheap imitation lamps on the market will not affect the sales and possibly the future of this long-established local company that has been in existence over 140 years
Evan Thomas & Williams were believed to be the oldest surviving firm of safety lamp manufacturers in the world
The company continues to operate from Aberdare and has a wealth of additional historical information and resources available on their own website. For further information visit www.ethomasandwilliamsltd.com
They remain an incredible and inspirational Aberdare success story and we are delighted to feature an exhibition about the company, their product development and contribution to worldwide mining safety here at St Elvan's
For further information on this FREE exhibition and viewing times, visit www.stelvans.com/exhibitions
