First World War letter from Melingriffith Works
Melingriffith Works
Nr Cardiff
May 16 1916
The works is full of excitement as to the calling up of the men between the ages of 19 and 41, both single and married, and certainly it is very difficult to understand the ways of the "Powers that be" so far, as they are calling up the married men to to join the colours, whilst leaving a lot of single men behind. A lot of feeling has existed owing to Richard Thomas & Co. passing resolution calling upon the Government to unstar the tinplate trade, but to consider each case on its merits, but when it is remembered that many works have not been successful in providing many recruits, and were working full time, whilst others, particularly the Thomas Works, had sent large numbers to the Colours, and were only working short time, together with the fact, well known to many individuals of the firm, that there was an actual shortage of men in the Army, it is clear that the action of the shareholders of Richard Thomas & Co., whilst against their personal interests in denuding the works of men, has been more than amply justified in the result by the Government being forced, in the interest of the Nation, to bring in a Bill for Universal Service for all of military age, and to unstar many of the starred industries. It is true that tinplates are essential to the War. The only question is that for how many, and despite all efforts, we have been unable to obtain this information from the responsible Government officials. If it is found that too many men have left the tinplate trade, and that more tinplates are required, it will be possible, though probably a difficult matter, with the co-operation of the Army, to get back a sufficiency of men from the Colours to make tinplates to feed you brave fellows.
I had an opportunity of talking with a representative deputation of the workmen this morning, and was very glad indeed to meet them again, and clear up one or two doubtful points. My primary object was to enlist their sympathy in subscribing to the Exchequer Bonds, and so help to pay for Munitions, and bullets which are wanted at the Front to tickle the Germans up with. At the time, I desired to explain the attitude of my Company, in conjunction with the owners of all the other Thomas Works, that our primary and only interest was to first win the War, and that nothing else really mattered, because if we were beaten, all the liberties for which our forefathers have fought and died, would be swept away at one fell swoop. I also explained my attitude as regards appealing to the Local Tribunals, and took this further opportunity of mentioning again the War Fund, and I believe that this may now possibly brought to life again on voluntary principles, but of course, until this call to the Colours is completed, and people know exactly where they are, they are loath to commit themselves to any particular line of action. I took the opportunity of suggesting to the men the formation of a Joint Committee, to deal with questions arising through our works being controlled under the Munitions Act, with a view to carrying on in the best possible manner, which was not unfavourably received.
With regard to personal economy, I suggested that everybody should as far as possible, avoid the use of fresh bread, and use stale bread. I again advocated the keeping of poultry and pigs, and will be prepared to advance the money necessary to buy the pigs, free of interest. I also advocated the use of clogs, the same as my own children have worn, because of the dampness of the ground in this locality, which soon penetrates though the ordinary leather sole, which are usually not thick enough. These clogs are also much cheaper in the long run than boots.
I also mentioned the question of infantile mortality, as we are losing a lot too many children, which might be avoided, with consequent good to the Nation.
With regard to the defence of the Country, I advocated the resuscitation of our Volunteer Corp, so that we old crocks, and the ineligible may devote part of our time to make ourselves of some use in the Defence of the Country, besides which, I suggested that the physical drill we should have to go through would be beneficial to all.
Attention was also drawn to the starting up of the Cadet Corp so as to embrace the boys, who are of growing importance, owing to present conditions.
The men promised to take back the subjects to their branches, and discuss matters, with a view to bringing them to fruition at an opportune moment. I came away from this conference more hopeful of mutual co-operation between us all at Melingriffith than on any previous occasion, and I am sure it will be productive of great good to everyone of us.
You will remember that I told you the other day that we had to draw the attention of the Police to the destruction of the barns near the Melingriffith Lock. The cases were taken against some of the boys at Llandaff, and the parents were also implicated, and I am glad to say that the Llandaff Bench severely reprimanded the parents who permitted their children to go about destroying property wilfully. I am hoping it will be a lesson to them.
During Easter some of our young boys amused themselves taking pot shots at the glass dormer windows, just over the Cold Rolls, which was pure destructiveness, and I am thinking they will have to pay for their bad behaviour. This was followed by some of the cold roll boys, of course, in their excess of energy, acting the fool with some trolleys and vanes in the run down near Copperas Room.
They little knew what powers they were letting loose, when a van ran away, and it is marvellous that any of the boys escaped with their lives. I hope that the shock has been a sufficient lesson to them.
With regard to the automatic Continuous Picking, Tinning, and Finishing machine, you will be pleased to know that the second one has made a satisfactory start, but it is in its infancy yet, and whilst it contains many improvements upon the first Super dreadnought, we anticipate that after a couple of months running with her, she will more than double her present output, or possibly even more than that. Hence until something definite and conclusive is arrived at, regarding its capacity, it is not much use talking over wages rates.
The want of Management in the Irish Affairs is shewn by the terrible insurrection which has drenched Dublin in blood, and which I have no wish to be revengeful, I do think that all of those who proved to have been associated with the killing of civilians, as we as our brave soldiers, in cold blood, should be treated as traitors. There is too much sentiment about dealing with men who would, and do shoot you in the back. In today's paper, I see Mr. Asquith is reported to have had a conference with the rebels. In my mind, he has no business to speak to them. What about our brave Sherwood Foresters we have lost in Dublin, when every man is required to beat the Germans. If I had my way, I would have a few battalions of these Sinn Feinners created, with their own officers, and as it is would known that the Irishman love a quarrel, let them blow off their steam against the Germans - our common foe.
I am interested in a Colliery, where we produce coal for, amongst others, Nobels Explosives Works, several men have lost an average of over two days per week, and when we take into account the coal is required to make explosives to beat the Germans, it will take a lot of explaining away of the individual for this absence from work. There are many such absentees, I regret to say, and though late in the day, it is to be observed, the Miners Federation propose to take some note of the matter.
In the world of talk, I would commend to your notice the speeches of our countryman, Mr. V. M. Hughes, the Labour Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth. He seems to me to have got hold of the very centre of things, and he is doing extraordinarily good work in the enthusing of our people, and inspiring the dead bones of our political life in England because if we are not careful, after you brave fellows have whacked the Germans, we shall be beaten in commercial life by the German cleverness.
In the realm of war, the outstanding thing is the continued attack by the Germans on Verdun, and more marvellous again, is the extraordinary defence by the gallant French, who now appear to be inclined to take the offensive, and it is more noticeable because it is not far from the munitions centre of Metz, where so many railways coverage, and I see by the morning paper that there has been a great French Air Raid upon Metz bombarding the railway stations etc. This upsets the Germans more than anything, as they rely so much upon their Railways, having provided such a network of rails behind their line, through anticipating this War for many years. In spite of this, the Germans are keeping, I am informed, a very large army in reserve in Belgium, so as to be ready for any British offensive, but for my part, I do not think there will be such of an offensive this Summer, because we shall not be ready with all the munitions required to carry the positions, as they should be carried, with a minimum loss of life on our side. Besides the Russians have not yet brought up their forces along the Southern Shores of the Black Sea from Trebizond, and so tackled Constantinople, and opened out the Dardanelles.
In Salonica, there is a large amount of movement according to the telegrams, and no doubt advantage will be taken of the Summer to consolidate our positions, and worry the enemy.
The event of the week has been the unfortunate loss of Kut, and the brave General Townsend, and his gallant soldiers, who put up a most extraordinary and marvellous fight against the enemy, and against starvation. Their wonderful cheerfulness in spite of all these drawbacks, and the grand fight they put up demand the admiration of all, and it is a thousand pities that our relief forces were TOO LATE.
There is a very good article by Dr. E. J. Dillon in the "Fortnightly Review" in which he said that time was not on our side, and I am inclined to agree with him. We must harass our enemies, and anticipate their movements, rather than wait upon them. These are the ideas which animate all business man, but not a Council of Lawyers.
You will be interested to know that we are are able to make sheets, from which the Trench Helmets are made, and have sent samples to the Ministry of Munitions, and they have given satisfaction. I hope orders will follow.
I have this week, received the following letters:-
Francis Davidson, 078117, Workshop Section, 341 Company, M.T., A.S.C.,
G.H.Q., Ammision Park, B.E.F. France (Blacksmith) sends me a long and interesting letter. He gives full and good description of his doings and feelings, and I think it is so interesting that I have had a copy typed and posted up on the Notice Board.
Field Postcards from Harold Jones , and Lance Corporal A. Mabbitt.
I wonder who received the pair of socks from the charming lady at Worthing. I have not yet heard from him.
At my conference with the workmen, on Monday I drew attention to the noble work in more than one direction that had been done by the leaders of the men, particularly Mr. John Hedge, and Mr. Ben Tillett as regards recruiting, war savings, and generally, and I expressed the hope that Mr. Hedge would be appointed on the Committee to "safeguard" the Iron and Steel Industries after the War.
You will be sorry to learn of the sudden death from a seizure last Saturday, of the widow of the late Mr. Robert Davies, who became our Manager at Melingriffith, when the present Company took over the bankrupt works, and during regime, the output and wages nearly quadrupled.
Kind regards,
Yours Truly,
H. Spence Thomas