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Emlyn Williams | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of Rhyl Urban District Council | |
| In office 1944–1945 | |
| Chairman of Rhyl Urban District Council | |
| In office 1959–1960 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 17, 1903 Llandudno Junction, Caernarfonshire, Wales |
| Died | January 12, 1985 (aged 81) Rhyl, Clwyd, Wales |
| Party | Labour Party |
| Occupation | Railwayman, trade union official, magistrate |
Emlyn Williams (17 June 1903 – 12 January 1985) was a Welsh Labour politician, railwayman, trade union official and magistrate who served on Rhyl Urban District Council for thirty-four years, from 1937 until his retirement in 1971. He served as chairman of the council on two occasions, during 1944–45 and 1959–60, and was closely associated with the council's housing programme during Rhyl's post-war expansion.
Emlyn Williams began his working life on the railway at Llandudno Junction in 1917 before transferring to Rhyl in 1924. Alongside his railway career, he became active in the National Union of Railwaymen and the Labour Party, holding senior local positions within both organisations before entering local government.
Appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1945, Emlyn Williams combined his municipal career with service on the magistrates' bench. His long association with public housing in Rhyl was later recognised through the naming of the Maes Emlyn housing estate in his honour.
Early life
[edit]Emlyn Williams was born on 17 June 1903 at Llandudno Junction, Caernarfonshire, the son of William Williams, a railway engine driver and local councillor, and Anne Catherine (née Rowlands).[1]
He was educated at Llandudno Council School and Llandudno Central School. A contemporary newspaper profile published in 1944 recorded that Emlyn Williams entered railway employment in 1917 at the age of fourteen, beginning work at the London and North Western Railway works at Llandudno Junction as an apprentice boilersmith.[2]
Railway career
[edit]Emlyn Williams began his railway career in 1917 at Llandudno Junction before transferring to Rhyl in 1924, where he spent the remainder of his railway career.[3]
He completed forty-five years of railway service before retiring in 1962. A report of his retirement presentation noted his railway service alongside his public roles as a councillor and Justice of the Peace.[4]
Trade union and Labour Party activity
[edit]Alongside his railway career, Emlyn Williams became active in the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR). Contemporary reports record that he held senior positions within the Rhyl branch of the union, including chairman and secretary.[5]
Emlyn Williams also became active in the Labour movement in Rhyl. Before his election to Rhyl Urban District Council, he had served the local Labour Party as chairman, secretary and treasurer, holding several of the principal organisational offices within the party.[6]
He remained active in Labour politics throughout his public career and represented the party at political meetings and election gatherings.[7]
Rhyl Urban District Council
[edit]Emlyn Williams was elected to Rhyl Urban District Council in 1937 as a Labour councillor and remained a member of the authority until his retirement in 1971, completing thirty-four years of service.[8]
He was elected chairman of Rhyl Urban District Council for the municipal year 1944–45.[9] He later served a second term as chairman during 1959–60.[10] Throughout his council career Emlyn Williams served on a number of committees, but became particularly associated with housing. As chairman of the Housing Committee, he was closely associated with Rhyl's post-war housing programme during a period of expansion and increased demand for council housing.[11]
Justice of the Peace
[edit]Emlyn Williams was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1945, combining his council duties with service on the local magistrates' bench.[12]
Emlyn Williams later took on additional responsibilities within the local justice system. In 1962, following the amalgamation of the juvenile panels of magistrates for the Prestatyn and Rhuddlan petty sessional divisions, Emlyn Williams was appointed chairman of the new joint panel, which was to sit in Rhyl.[13]
In 1964 Emlyn Williams was re-elected to the Flintshire Probation Committee and appointed to the Divisional Licensing Committee and Juvenile Court Panel.[14]
He retired from the magistracy in 1967 after twenty-two years of service. At the time of his retirement, Emlyn Williams was reported as expressing the view that corporal punishment should remain available as a response to juvenile offences.[15]
Later years, retirement and legacy
[edit]Emlyn Williams continued to serve on Rhyl Urban District Council into the late 1960s. During this period, the local press referred to him as the "father of Rhyl Urban Council", reflecting his long service and seniority among councillors.[16][17]
Emlyn Williams retired from Rhyl Urban District Council in 1971 after thirty-four years of service. His retirement was marked by presentations recognising his long contribution to local government.[18][19]
The Maes Emlyn housing estate in Rhyl was named after Emlyn Williams. A 2025 article in the Daily Post stated that the estate was named in recognition of his service as chairman of Rhyl's Housing Committee.[20]
Emlyn Williams died on 12 January 1985, aged 81. He was survived by his wife Anne Beatrice Williams and their children Dennis, Alan and Wendy.[21]
Personal life
[edit]Emlyn Williams married Anne Beatrice Jones (1910–1993). They had three children, Dennis, Alan and Wendy.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "Birth registration: Emlyn Williams". General Register Office. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
Registration district: Conway; Jul–Sep quarter 1903; volume 11B, page 480; mother's maiden surname Rowlands.
- ^ "Council chairman at Rhyl". North Wales Weekly News. 27 April 1944. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Council chairman at Rhyl". North Wales Weekly News. 27 April 1944. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Councillor Emlyn Williams". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 18 October 1962. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Council chairman at Rhyl". North Wales Weekly News. 27 April 1944. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Council chairman at Rhyl". North Wales Weekly News. 27 April 1944. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Labour election meeting". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 30 May 1962. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Council father retires 'with flag flying'". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 29 April 1971. p. 9 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Council chairman at Rhyl". North Wales Weekly News. 27 April 1944. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Prestatyn's reply to Rhyl suggestion". Prestatyn Weekly. 10 October 1959. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Cefndy Road housing development". Evening Express. 24 November 1945. p. 4 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Councillor Emlyn Williams". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 18 October 1962. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Juvenile Benches Amalgamate". Prestatyn Weekly. 1 December 1962. p. 4 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Chairman of Magistrates for Fourth Year". Prestatyn Weekly. 14 November 1964. p. 4 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Not enough corporal punishment, says J.P.". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 28 October 1967. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Councillor Emlyn Williams described as the "father" of Rhyl Urban Council". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 21 May 1966. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Resorts multi-storey car park is out". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 26 March 1969. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Retiring". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 23 April 1971. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Council father retires 'with flag flying'". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 29 April 1971. p. 9 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Hughes, Owen (2 August 2025). "Abandoned council estate left to decay in North Wales coastal town". Daily Post.
- ^ "Williams Emlyn J.P.". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 15 January 1985. p. 10 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Williams Emlyn J.P.". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition). 15 January 1985. p. 10 – via British Newspaper Archive.
Categories
[edit]Category:1903 births Category:1985 deaths Category:Welsh trade unionists Category:British railway people Category:People from Llandudno Junction Category:People from Rhyl Category:Welsh justices of the peace Category:National Union of Railwaymen members