Elwyn Llewellyn Evans, Papers

Papers including diaries, letters, photographs, family history.

Elwyn Llewellyn Evans was born on 5 June 1921 at 59 Pretoria Road, Tonyrefail. His father was David Collwyn Evans who at the time of Elwyn's birth was a collier. Elwyn's mother, Mary (nee Llewellyn) came from a farming family, the Williamses of Llwyn Ddu and the Llewellyns of Pontyclun. Elwyn's sister, Gwynneth Mary, was born on 22 July 1925. Elwyn's early years were spent in Llantrisant and by 1928 the family were living at The Manse, Seven Sisters. In 1929 his Dad took on a milk round to supplement the family income. Elwyn excelled at school and came top of the list in the county eleven plus examination and went on to attend Bassaleg Secondary School. The family then lived at Tir y Mor, Ty Fry Road, Rumney. At 16 Elwyn matriculated with 7 credits and went on to study Physics, Chemistry and Maths in the Sixth Form. He obtained distinction in his Higher Schools Certificate and won the Isaac Roberts Scholarship for University College of Wales, Cardiff. During the Second World War he was a member of the Home Guard in Cardiff. He developed a lifelong love of science, but also music and sport. In 1942 he graduated with a 1st class Honours degree in Chemistry, Physics and Maths. He then began work as a scientific assistant with the Ministry of Supply in Cardiff. He joined the Youth Hostels Association and started going on YHA holidays in Britain and in Europe. He was also a keen cyclist. He also undertook a 'marathon' walk in the Welsh mountains at this time. In 1943 he was initiated as a Freeman of Llantrisant. In 1945 he started work at Woolwich Arsenal and later at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington. He led many holidays for the Ramblers' Association and in 1948 he met his future wife, Lotte, from a German Jewish family who had left Germany as a young girl and had been educated and trained as a nurse in England. They were married on 4 February 1950 and began life in Teddington. In the 1950s a book he had co-written 'Metallurgical Thermochemistry' was published. Their first child Peter was born on 11 November 1952 and a daughter, Catherine on 1 April 1954. In the 1960s Elwyn began work on the adminstrative side of scientific research in various civil service departments, including the Department of Education and Science, later Department for Education. He briefed Goverment Ministers and attended conferences around the world. His wife Lotte now worked several sessions a week for the Family Planning Association. In the 1970s Elwyn and Lotte bought a country cottage in Sussex. They made frequent visits to South Wales to visit Elwyn's family. In 1981 Elwyn's marriage ended and he moved to Hollingbourne, near Maidstone in Kent to live with his new partner, Margaret. He died on 6 September 1994.

Chronological within record series.

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Donated by Miss Margaret Parsons, June 2001

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Good condition

Compiled by Heather Mountjoy for Glamorgan Archives with reference to biographical notes on Elwyn Llewelyn Evans in the collection

Normal Glamorgan Archives conditions apply.

All records which meet the collection policy of Glamorgan Archives have been retained.

The records remained in the custody of the depositor until transferred to Glamorgan Archives.

Accruals are not expected.