Swansea Family History

Murder Stones   Wilful Murder against a Person or Persons Unknown , these were the returned verdicts of two inquests regarding two murders. Inquests unlike today, where they are heard at a Coronor’s Office, were heard at the local Public House, close to the murder. What is a Murder Stone?  They are an historic marker usually a stone, which has an engraved inscription. They are to be found in England, Scotland and a handful in Wales. Since the publication of last April’s bay Family History article,  Sweet F.A. , which featured a murder stone located at St Catwg’s church, in Cadoxton, Neath, I have visited St Michaels and All Angels church, in Thursley, Surrey where there is a Grade I listed murder stone, which commemorates the murder of an unknown sailor. In September 1786, an anonymous sailor who was returning from London to join his ship docked in Portsmouth, had stopped off at the Red Lion pub in Thursley.  It was here that he bought a round of drinks for three other men. The sailor,

  Simon’s  artwork (left) on the front cover of last month’s September edition of bay, inspired me to look at the history of the WEST PIER.     Currently, there are works being undertaken to repair damage caused by  Storm Dennis  from 11th to 18 th  of February 2020. It is thought that the Mumbles Lighthouse was the first to aid and assist ships around the dangerous waters off Mumbles Head, when it was completed in 1794. However, the first harbour lights known as the ‘ Lanthorn Beacon’  was erected on posts at the mouth of the River Tawe during 1792. These posts were to mark the proposed new pier. After completing the Mumbles Lighthouse, Swansea architect  William Jernegan , designed a lighthouse in 1803, on the head of the finished West Pier. This lighthouse was 20-foot high; an octagonal tower, standing on a stone plinth. By 1810, the lantern, having been lit by candle was situated in a smaller octagonal lantern, crowned with a domed top. The candle was replaced with oil by 1845. The

 This is the complete list of those, who served with British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Merchant Navy and those Swansea Civilians who lost their lives during the Second World War Surname Initials Volume Abbey K. British Army Absalom E. A. Swansea Civilians Absalom G. T. Swansea Civilians Absalom R. Swansea Civilians Ace G. R. British Army Ackerman H. J. British Army Ackland A. T. British Army Adomaitis J. P. Swansea Civilians Ahearne L. G. British Army A'hearne L. Merchant Navy Ahern E. Royal Navy Alexander R. M. Royal Air Force Ali M. Merchant Navy