Madam,

The Ffestiniog Railway Company needs help to complete 1914-18 war service records.

In common with many other organisations, the Ffestiniog Railway is anxious to learn more about the contribution that its employees made to the 1914-1918 War.

Many of its employees volunteered to join the colours but could not be released by the railway as they were essential to enable it to run its service. However, 19 men are known to have joined the Army during the war.

They were: Charles Geoffrey Anderson, a clerk, of Boston Lodge; David Richard Davies, a platelayer, of Bottom Gang; Robert Edwards, a shunter, of Duffws; David Evans, a gate keeper, of Penrhyn; Richard Evans, a stoker, of Boston Lodge; Ivor Wyn Hughes, a fitter, of Boston Lodge; Robert Owen Hughes, a clerk, of Duffws; Charles Christmas James, a porter, of Porthmadog; Ellis Jones, a brakesman, of Porthmadog; Jonah Jones, a platelayer, of Top Gang; John Ivor Jones, a fuel supplier, of Boston Lodge; Owen Jones, a platelayer , of Top Gang; William Lloyd, a signalman, of Glanypwll; William Parkins, a stationmaster, of Minffordd; W F Roberts, a signalman, of Duffws; Samuel Williams, a fuel supplier, of Boston Lodge; David Sylvanus Williams, a stationmaster, of Minffordd; John Wilson, a striker, of Boston Lodge; and William Roderick Williams, a junior smith, of Boston Lodge.

Charles James and David Davies are known to have been killed in action in France but all the others are believed to have survived the war.

Relations of many of the men are probably still living in the area. The railway would welcome any information on them and the time they worked on the railway with a view to paying tribute to their contribution to the war during 2018, the centenary year of its end. Photos of them would be particularly appreciated.

Please contact me on 01245 222920, or e-mail me at [email protected] if you have any information that you feel might be of some use.

Yours etc,

John Alexander, Ffestinog & Welsh Highland Railways, Harbour Station, Porthmadog.