Arthur George Gabriel Mudford Biography
Arthur George Gabriel Mudford was born in Barry on June 2nd 1925 at 46 Upper Pyke Street. His birth was registered by Arthur Thomas Mudford (Father) on 25.06.1925 in the sub-district of Barry in the registration district of Cardiff. His sponsors at his baptism at St. Mary's Church in Barry were Florence Ann Mudford (Aunt) and Ernest Robert Lewis. He had two brothers, John William Francis Mudford and Gordon Thomas Hillier Mudford
He attended High St. Infants and Junior Schools but unfortunately, due to tremendous nerves, failed the 11 plus exam so went to Holton Road, Secondary Modern school. Was a fantastic boy soprano, regularly singing solos at St.Paul's church in Barry . Started work as a timekeeper/wages clerk aged 15 in 1940 for a Cardiff contracting firm. Worked for Baileys on Barry Docks until the intervention of his call up for WW2.
Started off the war, aged 15,as a member of the local Home Guard, together with Dudley Rees. Then became a messenger for the air raid warning service. Then at 18 in 1943, was called up proper. Bad eyesight meant that the RAF was out, so went into the Royal Navy. Did aptitude tests that "suggested" mechanical ability (they were short of stokers!). He declined and was sent to Skegness where the telegrapher's training school was. It was a Butlins camp where he became class leader of a bunch of "hooligans" including Scousers, Glaswegians and Bernard from Risca.
As a leader, he had a choice after 6months of where he went next. He chose mine sweepers with combined ops and was based in Gosport. He helped with the testing of the sands of beaches in France pre the D-Day French invasion. Subsequently, on D Day, went over to the French coast with the British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, which included the Devonshire, Hampshire, Dorsetshire, and East Yorkshire regiments, where they escorted them on to Gold beach. Was in a 70/110 ft Motor Gunboat. Were there to draw the fire of enemy gunners.
Was then temporarily Southampton based in Sonar destroyers. Didn't like the Solent dockers who were refusing to work properly for more money. Was ordered back to Barracks before embarking on the Empress of Scotland troop carrier in Liverpool. (Winston Churchill had had the ship renamed on October 16 1942 as she was initially Empress of Japan). This went to Sydney, NSW via the Panama Canal and Freemantle Western Australia. Was assigned to an Royal Navy destroyer, HMAS Quilliam, which was sent to patrol up in the Pacific islands.
Was present at Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Was on aircraft carrier protection duty trying to give protection against kamikaze attacks when had the bows of the ship wrenched off when colliding with a very large aircraft carrier. Repairs were carried out at Leyte in the Philippines for a fortnight. It was here that Dad had his first taste of Ice cream and a regular supply of ice cold drinks. Final repairs were required in Sydney. It was here that Admiral Ronan required a senior telegraphist on his flagship, the British battleship, HMS Anson. This battleship never fired a shot in anger all war. Dad was assigned to HMS Anson, and was thus part of the fleet that relieved Hong Kong. He was nearly court marshaled here, as the HMS Anson was the communication hub for the whole of Hong Kong. Whilst other crews were given shore leave, the communications staff was working 4hrs on, 4 hrs off. Dad, or "Taff" presented a petition to the Captain asking for some shore leave but was shafted by his fellow workers who left him as the sole complainer. Got off with the loss of a days leave. This is where Dad was when the bomb was exploded at Hiroshima.
The HMS Anson was present, along with Dad, in Tokyo harbour in 1945 when Japan signed the surrender document. Dad then spent 6 months in Canberra working in the high-speed communications facility (HMAS Harman) that handled all traffic to Whitehall. Dad was eventually sent on board the aircraft carrier, HMS Indefatigable, back to the UK, through the Suez Canal. He had lived in digs in Sydney with the Lewin family. He thought of emigrating, but went home to see his parents before committing himself to the Antipodes. When came home to the UK, had a huge trunk stuffed full with food.
Once demobbed at the end of the war, he went back to working as a cost accountant for Distillers in Sully, nr. Barry, which was later taken over by BP Chemicals. He lived at home with his Mum in Prices Street , Barry. Left a note at the home of a work colleague in April 1957 asking if one of the nurses from the Maternity Hospital who were lodging there would like to go on a blind date to an office do. Mum was first back off shift and accepted the offer. Second back was her cousin, Jean Roderick, later to meet Dudley Rees, his best mate and marry him.
Got married on 12 noon on Saturday 22nd August 1959 at All Saints Church Barry, C in W in the Parish of Porthkerry with Barry in the County of Glamorgan in the Registration district of Barry. Gordon Mudford (Groom's youngest brother) was best man, whilst Rita Matthews,( Bride's brother's fiancee) was the bridesmaid. Witnesses were David Brinley Evans (Bride's father) and Margaret EA Mudford (Groom's mother). Certificate on file. His address was given as 119 Pontypridd Road, because he had to move in to the new marital home in advance oin order to qualify to marry in All Saints Church. Her address was given as Fernbank, 167 North Road, Ferndale. She wasn't given a profession!! The reception was at Barry Hotel. Entry music was Wagner's Bridal March (Lohengrin). Hyms were "The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want" (Da's choice) and "Love Divine, all loves excelling" to the tune Blaen wern (Ma's choice). Exit music was Mendelssohn's Wedding March (Midsomer Night's Dream).
Worked at the Sully BP Chemicals plant for a large number of years, before being transferred to the Baglan Bay plant, near Port Talbot. Contracted late onset diabetes and suffered a fused hip and crumbling vertebrae. A great basso profundo and chairman of Barry Choral Building Society. Was People's churchwarden in All Saints Church Barry for 10 years. Active member of CAOS (Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society) playing minor solo roles.
He died on 14th September 2010 after a short period in hospital having been diagnosed with cancer in liver, pancreas, lungs and ribs in Llandough Hospital. After a funeral service at All Saints Church Barry he was cremated at Coychurch Crematorium and his ashes scatted in the Daffodil garden.
Obituary from Western Mail and South Wales Echo:-
Peacefully in his sleep on Sept 14, after a short illness at Llandough Hospital, Arthur George aged 85 years, of Barry. Beloved husband of Mona, loving father of Catherine. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Resting at A. G. Adams & Son Funeral Home, Gladstone Rd. Barry, until the funeral on Thursday Sept 23. Funeral service at All Saints Church Barry at 2.15pm. Afterwards cremation at Coychurch Crematorium. Family flowers only. If desired, donations may be handed to the Funeral Director after the funeral for Llandough Hospital Ward Funds.
Clipping from Barry & District News kept by His mum:- Brothers in Song
Two of Barry's leading musical organisations, as a result of recent annual general meetings, find themselves with one of two brothers as its chairman. These are the Barry Choral Society, of which Mr Arthur Mudford has been elected to the post, while his bother, Mr Gordon Mudford, continues as chairman of the Barry Male Voice Choir. Mr Arthur Mudford sings second bass for the choral society whilst his brother is one of the first tenors in the men's choir. The two brothers, together with a third, began their singing careers as boys in St.Paul's Church Choir in the years immediately before WWII, Arthur Mudford being the leading boy soloist under the direction of Mr Leslie Tusler, at that time choirmaster and organist and now, since 1952, conductor of the Barry Male Voice Choir.