Rhondda History Page 5 (The War Years)

During the two World Wars (1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945) mining production
in the Rhondda was increased to provide coal for the British navy.
Coal mining was considered as a reserve occupation
and miners were not called up to fight in the wars.
However, many of Rhondda's men joined up
and fought for King and country.
Life for the people of the Rhondda was greatly effected,
especially during the Second World War.
Certain foods were rationed and hardship was increased.
Everyone was issued with a ration book
containing coupons,
which were then used to buy food, clothes etc.
Everyone was issued with a gas mask, in case of gas attack,
this had to be carried everywhere, at all times.
Streetlights were turned off and houses had to put up blackout curtains
to avoid showing light to possible enemy bombers.
The cities of Cardiff and Swansea were bombed and there was great devastation.
The Rhondda largely escaped the bombings, but houses in Cwmparc,
Treherbert and other areas were destroyed.
In Cwmparc, a child was killed and two other people injured
when bomb splinters destroyed the shelter in their garden.
Air raid warnings were common and people constructed shelters in their gardens
and also used basements etc, as shelters.
At this time evacuees mainly from London and the midlands came to the Rhondda.
Rhondda people housed these. The Rhondda Leader in 1943 described
one group of youngsters from London who arrived in Tylorstown.
They were exhausted after spending 2 days on the journey.
Many of the boys carried fragments of shrapnel in their pockets as souvenirs,
which they had picked up on their way to the railway station.

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Miners were not called up to fight in the wars.
However, many of Rhonddas men joined up and fought for King and country.

Certain foods were rationed - and hardship was increased.

Everyone was issued with a ration book containing coupons,
which were then used to buy food, clothes, etc.

Identity Cards were issued, even for babies,
as security was at stake.

Air raid warnings were common,
and people constructed shelters in their gardens
and also used basements, etc, as shelters.

The cities of Cardiff and Swansea were bombed
and there was great devastation.
The Rhondda largely escaped the bombings...

...houses in Cwmparc, Treherbert and other areas were destroyed.