HISTORY

WOMEN OF COURAGE HEROINES OF SOE

Virginia Hall was a rare breed, an American who worked for the SOE. In October 1941, Virginia learned that the Nazis had incarcerated twelve agents in the Mauzac prison near Bergerac. With the aid of Gaby Bloch, wife of prisoner JeanPierre Bloch, Virginia smuggled tools and sardine tins into the prison. With these tools and tins the prisoners made a key to the prison door and on 15 July 1942 they escaped and hid in the woods. After an intense manhunt, Virginia helped the men to flee into Spain then on to Britain. Later, several of the escapees returned to France to lead SOE networks. Even though Virginia had a wooden leg - the result of a pre-war shooting accident - distinctive red hair and spoke French with a broad American accent, the Nazis failed to capture her. Indeed, she thrived in France, assisting the Resistance in numerous heroic operations. While working for the SOE, Virginia fell in love with a colleague, Paul Goillot. After the war, the couple lived together and eventually married in 1957.

Hannah Howe, international bestselling author of Ann’s War (set in Porthcawl) and Eve’s War (set in France). https:// hannah-howe.com

WILLIAM MORGAN

William Morgan, a doctor’s son, was born in the parish of Newcastle, Bridgend in May 1750. He studied medicine and, on his father’s death in 1772 took over his medical practice in Bridgend but youth, inexperience, and his clubfoot did not endear him to his patients. He moved to London to stay with his uncle, the philosopher, Dr Richard Price, who had been consulted on various financial matters by the Society for Equitable Assurances, later to become Equitable Life. Price is said to have asked his nephew if he knew mathematics, receiving the answer – “No Uncle but I can learn.” Morgan became the Society’s actuary in 1775. At this time an actuary was simply a keeper of accounts. It was due to his application of scientific discipline to the subject that ‘actuary’ took on its present definition. He pioneered the use of cause of death analysis to look at the correlation between life expectancy against the actual length of life and his financial acumen and rigorous mathematical principles ensured that the Society remained profitable. He was their actuary for 55 years until his retirement at age 80. He is rightly regarded as the father of modern actuarial science.

Ian Price Bridgend & District Local History Society

MORRIS POWER – A PORTHCAWL PILOT

Morris was born in Porthcawl in 1834 to William and Mary Power from Wexford Ireland. Wishing him to be christened in a Roman Catholic Church his parents carried Morris to Swansea, sleeping in the sandhills on a journey, which took three days. In the 1861 Census, Mary is a widow, and Morris and his brother John are ‘Trinity workers’: a maritime charity looking after the welfare of seaman and maintenance of lighthouses. By 1871, Morris had got married to Martha David, began his forty-year career as a pilot in Porthcawl Dock and lived in Pilots Row. In the late 1870’s, when it was proposed to demolish Pilots Row (behind the now Pier Hotel) the family moved to 5, Well Street. (photo) Pilots Row wasn’t actually demolished until the late 1890’s. In January 1893, carrying out an inspection, Morris fell on board the SS Paragon, severely injuring his side. Dr Williams, who attended to his injuries, was his son-in-law. Known locally, as Captain Power, Morris died on 6th December 1914, twelve years after his wife. He left five daughters and a son; Richard who having served in the Merchant Service for over 26 years lost his life when his ship was sunk, off Cornwall, by a German mine in 1917.

Ceri Joseph

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