Ystradgynlais & District

Evan Rees passed away in May 1918, and in his obituary is described as having "joined the staff at the Cynlais School Ystradgynlais, where he eventually became headmaster, afterwards taking up duties at the Pantycwrt School Abercrave, where he left for North Wales". He was sixty when he died, so the period in which he was headmaster of Cynlais School cannot yet be ascertained.

Evan Rees was the brother of Frederick Rees one of the prominent deacons of Soar Chapel, Ystalyfera during the 1920s and 1930s. The funeral report mentions a wife [unnamed] and children Dolly and Morfydd, both of whom one supposes would have been in their thirties, or thereabouts, by the time of his death.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 11th May 1918

EVAN REES

News arrived at Ystalyfera early in the week that Mr Evan Rees an old native of Ystalyfera and now of Aberhafesp, near Newton Montgomeryshire, had passed away on Saturday last after a very brief illness.
The deceased, who was 60 years of age, left Ystalyfera about 30 years ago and was headmaster of a school at Aberhafesp. He was educated at the Wern School, afterwards becoming a pupil teacher at that school. Mr Rees later joined the staff at the Cynlais School Ystradgynlais, where he eventually became headmaster, afterwards taking up duties at the Pantycwrt School Abercrave, where he left for North Wales.
His local relatives are:
Mrs John Maddocks sister Pwllbach; Messrs Frederick Rees Bristol House; John Rees, James Rees, T Rees now in Egypt and Edwin Rees Aberdare.
The funeral took place on Wednesday at Aberhafesp.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 18th May 1918

FUNERAL OF EVAN REES

The funeral of Mr Evan Rees schoolmaster at Aberhafesp, took place on Wednesday at Aberhafesp Cemetery Montgomeryshire, when a very large number of mourners and onlookers testified to the esteem in which he was held. Rev Canon Charles Woosnam officiated and Miss Rosa Thomas Caersws was at the organ and played the Dead March in "Saul".
The mourners included: Mrs Maddocks Ystalyfera sister; Mr Frederick Rees Ystalyfera brother; Mr Edwin Rees Aberdare brother; Mr and Mrs James Rees Ystalyfera sister in law; Rufus Watkin Rees Ystalyfera nephew; Mr David Hughes and Mr Albert E Hughes Port Talbot brothers to widow.
The following wreaths were sent: In loving memory of my dear husband (cross); To my dear Daddy from Dolly (spray): To my dear Dad from Morfydd (spray): In affectionate remembrance of dear Evan from Violet, David and the children Port Talbot: With deepest sympathy from Jack [France]: In loving memory of dear Evan from Nance, Albert and Doreen Brecon: In affectionate remembrance from Mr and Mrs Breeze and family: A token of esteem from past and present scholars: With deepest sympathy from Aberhafesp Choir: In affectionate memory from the post Office Bwlchyfridd; In loving memory of dear master of Bettws Hill: With deepest sympathy from all at Smithy Bwlchyfridd: With deepest sympathy from all at Cefnllydan: flowers from Doris and Florrie Davies Hill Farm: In affectionate memory from M J Morris (wreath): flowers from Mr and Mrs Wilcox Gro Cottage.
The morning service at Aberhafesp Church on Sunday was a memorial to Mr Rees, at which Canon Woosnam preached a made feeling allusion to the deceased.

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