Captain B. James

Fishguard

THE recent death of Captain Bleddyn James drew to a close a life honourably served in the Merchant Navy.

He was born in 1922, the sixth of eight children. Following his education at Carnhedryn and St David’s County School, he joined the Merchant Navy in 1940 and made a memorable first voyage from Cardiff across the Atlantic to Baltimore. In 1942, at the height of the Battle of the Atlantic, he was a crew member of the “Cape of Good Hope” which was torpedoed by the German submarine U-502 800 miles north east of the Dominican Republic. Together with the ships captain and 16 other members of the crew, he was in an open lifeboat for 13 days until their landfall at Tortolo in the Virgin Islands. After a brief respite at home, he returned to the sea to serve with American oil tanker’s based near Venezuela.

After the war, he gained his officers certificate and was promoted until he reached the rank of captain. As a respected captain of the super tanker’s of the 1960s and 1970s, his employers consulted him on the design of the worlds largest ship at that time, the “Texaco London”.

Following its commissioning in 1975, he served as her captain until his retirement in 1979. His family remembered visiting him whilst his ship was anchored at the Angle terminal at Milford Haven, and being served a sumptuous lunch in the tanker’s well appointed dining room.

After the sad passing through illness of his first wife Hilda in 1965, he married his second wife Mary three years later. She would often accompany him on his travels so that they could spend their time together. On his retirement in 1979, they returned to their home overlooking the harbour at Fishguard, where they both enjoyed growing prizewinning roses and gardening. They also enjoyed the company of their neighbours and friends.

Marys passing some six years ago was a severe loss which he keenly felt. Nevertheless, he was able to live at home until his recent illness which he bravely bore.

The chief mourners were Miss Ella James and Mrs Mona Evans (sisters), Mr and Mrs Huw and Jan James and Mr Elwyn Evans (family).

The bearers were Mr David Davies, Mr Ewan Jenkins, Mr Gareth Price and Mr Leslie Price.

He served for a considerable time as the treasurer of the Presbyterian Chapel at Caerfarchell, the funeral was led by his minister, the Rev Wiliam Owen, with the support of Mr John Evans, of St David’s. As a mark of respect from his fellow mariners, his coffin was laid upon the red ensign. Donations were received for the Fishguard RNLI through Mr Bernard Matthias, 62, Nun Street, St Davids.

Mr S. Rees

Hakin

MR Stephen Rees of Westaway Drive, Hakin passed away suddenly at home on April 27th. He was 59. He retired from British Telecom in February 2013 due to ill health after working there for 39 years.

He was well known, a successful local sailor, who started in dinghies in his youth and won all local sailing dinghy events then moved on to cruisers, winning some prestigious events including Cork Week twice and the 1st Celtic Watersports Festival in Brest, France, as well as local events, he completed in three Fastnet races and representing PYC Sailing Club.

He was an extremely able man at DIY, and enjoyed holiday activities included snorkelling and skiing.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Linda (wife); Elinor and Tobi, Andrew and Tasha (children with their partner and girlfriend); Lorna (mother); Barbara and Jim (parentsin- law); Lyn and Paul (sister and husband); Rebecca and Nicola (nieces and families); Rhys (Nicola’s son); Beverley (sister-in-law), her children Shannon and Georgia plus many cousins.

The service was held at St Marys Church, Hakin where Stephen and Linda were married 27 years ago and almost 300 mourners attended, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn. It was officiated by Rev Andy Bookless and memories of Stephen were read by Ian Evans. The bearers were Ian Evans, Geraint Williams, Frank Thomas and Ray Ashworth.

There were immediate family flowers with donations in lieu to the RNLI.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing and Sons Ltd, Milford Haven.

Mr J. C. Macphail

Neyland

MR James Canning Macphail (Jimmy) died suddenly at his home in Riga Avenue, Neyland on June17th.

He was born and grew up in Greenock, Scotland , one of five children born to Donald and Bridget Macphail of Leven Road, Greenock. He was predeceased by his parents and sister.

After leaving school Jimmy took on many jobs in the shipyards as an errand boy and boiler riveter, before he went off to train as an apprentice jockey. But due to injury he returned home to serve his time with the Corporation as a plumber, later travelling the UK and Norway as a pipefitter.

In 1968 he met and married his runaway bride Valerie (nee Swales). They went on to have four children Edith, Donald, David and Noelene in 45 years of happy marriage.

After retiring due to ill health, Jimmy`s interests were gardening, reading, crosswords and quizzes.

The affection in which Jimmy was held was evident in the number of people who attended his funeral at St Clements Church and Neyland Cemetery.

Jimmy was piped into the church and cemetery by Piper John Campbell of Haverfordwest.

Principle mourners were Val (wife); Edith and Kevin Roche (daughter and son-inlaw); Donald (son); David and Georgina Macphail (son and daughter-in-law); Noelene and Guy Snowdon (daughter and son-in-law); Callum, Amy, Shannon, Kiara and Niamh (grandchildren); Darren (grandson-in-law); Aliyah (great granddaughter); Betty (sister); Greta and George Wright (sister and brother-in-law); Marie and Tommy Mcdowell (sister and brother-in-law); Hughie Mcgee (brother-in-law); Dorothy Swales (mother-in-law); Annette and Wayne Riley (sisterin- law and brother-in-law); Deborah and Michael Beavis (sister-in-law and brother-inlaw); nephews and nieces too numerous to mention.

Reverend Alan Chadwick officiated. The bearers were David Macphail (son), Guy Snowdon (son-in-law), Jim Wright (nephew), Wayne Riley (brother-in-law), Arthur Arran and Tommy Lavelle (good friends). The eulogy was read by Kevin Roche (son-in-law).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Glyn Thomas and Son ,Freystrop.

Mrs R. Chipp

Pembroke

MRS Rosemary Chipp passed away Withybush Hospital after a long stay on June 15th.

She was 74 and lived in Webbs Drive, Orange Gardens, Pembroke.

Originally from Hereford she left Bluecoat secondary school in Hereford to work in a haberdashery department of a local department store.

Later working as an usherette in the Odeon and Ritz cinemas, finally as a technical welder in a small factory.

Her interests included knitting for renowned knitwear producer Edwina Ronay, reading, motorcycling as a pillion passenger.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Alan Butterworth (partner for 30 years); Leslie (son); Lorraine (daughter); Zara, Rachel, Laura, Jemma (granddaughters); Oliver (grandson); Muriel (stepsister) and her children Gail, Amanda and stepgrandaughter Charlotte; Phylis (daughter-in-law); Mark (son-in-law).

The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Pastor Hugh Michael.

There were family flowers only with donations to the Heart Foundation Charity c/o Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock. The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.

Mr J. R. F. James

Steynton

THE sudden death occurred at Withybush Hospital on June 1st of John Richards Frank James, Barretts Hill, Steynton aged 85 years.

The funeral service took place at St Cewydd and St Peter Church, Steynton on June 6th followed by interment in the churchyard. The service was officiated by Rev Derek Davies and Ven Graham Davies. The readings were taken by grand-daughters Jo and Becky.

The principal mourners were Margaret James (wife); Robert and Angela, Richard, Peter and Daphne (sons and daughters-in-law); Tim, Will and Lowri, Jo and Nathan, Tors and Dan, Becky (grandchildren and partners); Abigail, Bob and Cariad, Lowri and Brychan (step grandchildren); Tony and Marilyn Young (brother-in-law and wife); Pippa and Michael, Nicholas and Nicola and families (nieces and nephews) and many other relatives and friends.

The bearers were Tim and Will James (grandsons), Nathan Griffiths and Dan Evans (grandsons-in-law).

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for the A and E Department, Withybush Hospital which may be sent to Mr Ray Stoddart, Scoveston Grove, Milford Haven SA73 1HL.

Mrs A. M. Mitchell

Tenby

THE death occurred at Withybush Hospital on June 19th of Mrs Anne Muir Mitchell, of Barrington House, Tenby.

She was 91.

Originally from Saundersfoot and Tenby, her interests included embroidery, doing crosswords and being a member of the WI in Saundersfoot.

She was predeceased by her husband Geoffrey L Mitchell.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Kathleen and Robin Lee (daughter and son-in-law); Barbara Rise (daughter); Philip and Reinhilde Harris (brother and sister- in-law); Andrew Lee and Janine Morgan (grandson and partner); Martin Lee and Kate Dartnall (grandson and wife); Janet and David Lewis (granddaughter and husband); Mary Payne (niece); Mark Harris (nephew) The service was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium and was officiated by Canon Andrew Davies. There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for CMT UK and RNLI (Tenby) c/o Mr Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock SA72 6UR.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, Llanteg.

Mrs B. Ellis

Pembroke Dock

The death occurred of Mrs Beryl Ellis of Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock at Withybush Hospital, Ward 10 on June 26th. She was 86.

Originally from Pontypridd, Beryl spent her working life in Cardiff and Pontypridd in the civil service as H.E.D in the Pensions Department.

After her retirement in the 1980’s, Beryl moved to Pembroke to be near her mother.

Her interests included knitting and sewing and she was a member of St Mary’s Church.

The family left to mourn and principal mourners are Audrey and Cynthia (sisters); Andrea, Colin, Diane, Helen, Stephen, Cethin, Harrison, Dylan, Sebastian (nieces and nephews); Sue Ravenhill and Carolann Jones, plus friends.

Unable to attend Scott Cogan, Theresa and Mike Thomas, Mureen and Derek Coe, Paul and Alma Dixon, Margaret and Russ Peasley.

The service was held at Parc Gwyn on Monday July 1st and was officiated by Canon Roger Jones. The bearers were Denys Ravenhill (brother-in-law); Colin Ravenhill (nephew); Stephen Jones (nephew); Gary-De-La- Bastide.

There were family flowers only with donations in lieu for Withybush Hospital Chemotherapy Care Unit, Withybush Hospital c/o Mr Graham Thomas, 34 Charles Thomas Avenue, Pembroke Dock SA72 6UR.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by E C Thomas and Son, Pembroke Dock.