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William Barnes, one time manager of Gellyceidrim Colliery, Glanamman (seated front row centre).

William James Barnes was born in Abercarn, Monmouthshire on 10th Nov 1867. He is descended from the Barnes family of Northumberland. He married Sarah Ann Davies (born 1869), at Silo Welsh Baptist Chapel, Merthyr Tydfil 11 Dec, 1887. At the time of the 1901 census they were living in Michaelstone St Michael.

William and his wife moved to Garnant sometime after and lived in a house on the main road, opposite prospect place (near Workingmen's Hall). They had seven children.

It is not certain when William and his family moved from Garnant, but later he owned a colliery in Oakdale. A family heirloom in the form of a silver tray is engraved with the following words:

Presented To
Mrs W.J. Barnes.
By a large circle of friends and the
Employees of Gellyceidrim Collieries
Glanamman
As a token of esteem
October, 1903.

William Barnes died 17 Oct, 1925. One of William Barnes' grandsons is the holder of an MBE. (name not displayed here to respect privacy).

Gellyceidrim Colliery c.1910

Thanks to Mike Lewis for the photographs and information.

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