Washington Williams



Washington Williams JP 1884-1957

The coming of the railways in the 1860's brought an enormous amount of new employment to this area, resulting in the creation of a new village to house all the railway employees required to man this busy juction at Talyllyn. The camaraderie, pride and close working relationship inevitably created some notable characters.        

Washington Williams turned out to become one of those characters loved by everyone, and was fondly known as Washy. He was born in 1884, the only son to engine driver William Williams and wife Elizabeth and lived in No.6 Cobbstown. Washy followed in his father's footsteps, becoming an engine cleaner at Talyllyn engine shed and working his way up until he qualified as an engine driver. On the death of his father in 1916 he took over his father's job as the driver of the Talyllyn "Banking Engine".        

Washy's sence of humour and love of his friends and neighbours can be observed from his take on life in the village in the poem that he wrote for "Coronation Day" in May 1937. A copy of this poem is displayed in Llanfihangel Talyllyn Village Hall.        

After the second World War Washy trained as a magistrate a position that he could undertake alongside his full time employment, and actively encouraged by the Railway Company, and made possible with free travel.        

Washy lived in "Highfield" No.1 Griffin Terrace Talyllyn, he sadly lost his wife Harriet in 1915, and his beloved daughter Enid in 1944. Washy died June 2nd 1957 and is buried at Pennorth Chapel.        

Washy's two sisters Edith and Wyn were the first female welders to be employed on aircraft assemby in Brislol during WW1.