David Brindley Evans Biography
Born 1 January 1900 at 34 Gethin Street, Abercanaid. Son of John Evans and Margaret Walters. His birth was registered on 10 February 1900 by Margaret Evans (Mother) in Lower Merthyr Tydfil Sub district and Merthyr Tydfil registration district. His father was employed as a coal miner.Census Information 1911 51 Nightingale Street, Abercanaid Nr Merthyr Tydfil RG14PN32433RG78PN1855 RD590 SD2 ED9
| Name | Position | Age | Where Born | Occupation | BK No |
| John E Evans | Head | 44 | Abercanaid | Surface Lampman | 6 |
| Margaret E Evans | Wife | 46 | Llangerdock, Carmarthen | 7 | |
| Martha A Evans | Daughter | 15 | Abercanaid | 88 | |
| David Brenley Evans | Son | 11 | Abercanaid | 4 | |
| Lizzie Jane Evans | Daughter | 7 | Abercanaid | 62 | |
| James Davies | Boarder | 27 | Coal Hewer |
Census Information 1901 50 Nightingale Street, Abercanaid Nr Merthyr Tydfil RG13 Piece 5023 Folio 129 Page 21
| Name | Position | Age | Where Born | Occupation | Reference | BK No |
| John Evans | Head | 34 | Abercanaid | Colliery Lampman | 1183421 | 6 |
| Margaret Evans | Wife | 36 | Llangadock, Carmarthen | 1183421 | 7 | |
| Martha A Evans | Daur | 5 | Abercanaid | 1183421 | 88 | |
| David B Evans | Son | 1 | Abercanaid | 1183421 | 4 | |
| John Rees | Boarder | 25 | Clydach Vale | Coal Hewer | 1183421 | |
| William Evans | Boarder | 25 | Clydach Vale | Coal Hewer | 1183421 | |
| Elizabeth Evans | Boarder | 20 | Abercanaid | 1183421 |
Attended Abercanaid School followed by attendance at the newly opened Higher Grade School, which later became Cyfartha Castle Grammar School. Then went to Treforest School of Mines to start training as an electrician. Started work at Plymouth Colliery, Pentrebach and stayed there until 1938. Completed his training from home study in 1939. The South Duffryn Colliery was part of Richard Hills Plymouth Colliery until acquired by the Powell Duffryn Group. The depth reached 270 yards and was lit by underground electric haulage, which was one of the first of its type to work in a South Wales Colliery. The colliery closed in November 1940 and the abandoned workings of the pit gave engineers building the new Hoover factory many headaches. In order to provide secure foundations, thousands of tons of concrete had to be poured into the cavities which had been created by coal extraction a century before.
Married Catherine Jane Lloyd on 31.03.1929 at Zion Chapel, Abercanaid, Merthyr Tydfil in the district of Merthyr Tydfil in the Glamorgan, Brecknock counties. His address at time of marriage was Penyard House, Merthyr Tydfil. Her address was 6 Gethin Street, Abercanaid. His father was John Evans, a colliery lampman. Her father was a coal miner. The witnesses were N. Lloyd, Albert Parte, Evan Lloyd, John Evans and Lizzie Evans.
Moved into Penyard House outside Merthyr Tydfil, where they had two children, Mona and John. Moved from there to rented accommodation in Church View and Gethin Place Abercanaid. Bought Alexander Place, Abercanaid in 1938 when moved to Merthyr Vale Colliery. 1943, transferred to Penrikyber Colliery, Penrhiwceiber and moved into NCB provided accommodation, Dillington Terrace. Between 1943 and 1947 also worked at Dyffyn Colliery Mountain Ash where lived in Bailey Street (National Coal Board (NCB) property).
Was in protected occupation during World War II when spent time as a special policeman. 1947 saw promotion to Group Electrician and transfer to Tylorstown Colliery and a move into a new NCB house in Tylorstown. From 1947 to 1964, also worked at Ferndale Colliery, Maerdy Colliery and finally Tower Colliery, Hirwaun from where he retired in 1964. The final move was from Fernbank, Ferndale back to Alexander Place, Abercanaid. His younger sister, Aunt Liz lived across the street from him with her poodle, Frisky. He had on one occasion, to rescue his own dog from Webber's Pond after throwing him in to try and make him learn to swim. He was a great card player and taught me to play to win if keeping score. Gran was always the Donkey! Was always asking "Twice the half of two and a half" and "If a kipper and a half cost three ha'pence, how many for five" Moved into live with us after the death of Gran Evans in 1979. Died in 1981 in Sully Hospital after a period of ill health. Causes of death Hypostatic Pneumonia, Immobility and Parkinson's disease. Death registered on 05.10.1981 by John Evans (Son).
Text of Death announcement in the South Wales Echo "Peacefully, on October 3rd, at Sully Hospital, David Brinley of 11 Romilly Ave, Barry (formerly of Abercanaid), beloved husband of the late Catherine Jane (Cassie), devoted father of Mona and John, a loved father-in-law and grandfather. Resting at A G Adams & Son, Barry, until the funeral on Wednesday, service at Troed -Yr-Afon, Alexander Place, Abercanaid, Merthyr Tydfil 10.30am, followed by cremation at Llwydcoed. Family flowers only."