Williams & Wooding
The Norton Arms Hotel, now the Knighton Hotel, used to have its own livery stables. As time progressed and with the advent of motor vehicles the premises was given over to motor transport. A garage business was set up by Tom Norton of Llandrindod Wells.
During WW1 the garage didn't escape the conscription of it labourers.
The Brecon Radnor Express - 1st June 1916
Mr E. Powell Careless, solicitor, represented Messrs. Tom Norton, Ltd., the military having appealed against local decisions in respect of the following men in the service of this firm, viz., David Dakin, confidential clerk and accountant; Owen Williams, buyer, stock-keeper and manager of garage; William Thomas James, chief assistant, window-dresser, stock-taker, &c.; and Robert Williamson, advertising manager. Mr Careless said it had been agreed that Williams's appeal should be dismissed, and the case of David Dakin adjourned to enable him to produce the report of examination by the Medical Board. This was agreed to. Speaking to Mr James's case, Mr Careless said that 23 men out of 28 employed by Messrs. Norton, Ltd. had gone since the war broke out, and he submitted that it was not in the national interest that a large business of this description should be smashed entirely. The firm had several boys but they must be allowed to keep a few responsible men. Mr Williamson had only been passed for home service. In reply to Major Thomas, Mr Williamson said he had been advertising manager for the firm for 18 months. Mr Tom Norton did the work himself before that. He had absolute control of this branch of the business. At the present moment the bulk of the trade of the firm was commercial cars, and he was now working out a commercial catalogue, which was only half through the Press. The appeal against the decision in the case of Mr James was dismissed, and Mr Williamson's date was fixed as June 15th.
After the war and due to the depression, Tom Norton decided to sell off some of his garage premises, one of them being the Knighton Branch. This was taken over by Owen Williams and Albert Wooding.
Owen Williams had worked for Tom Norton as a buyer and manager of the branch. He along with Albert Wooding, who had perfected the motor mechanic trade during his time in the army took over the business. The new premises became Williams and Wooding.
Owen Williams was born on 2nd September 1876 in Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire. His parents were Moses Williams and his wife Mary (nee Hughes)
Albert Wooding was born on 27th November 1897 at Felin-cwm, Eglwys Oen Duw, Breconshire, he was the son of Peter Jones Wooding (solicitor) and his wife Catherine (nee Davies)
More on Owen Williams
Owen's father, Moses ran the Victoria Inn, on Penmaenmawr Road, Llanfairfechan: It was a one roomed village pub, and was promoted with having fine views over the sea to Anglesey from the gents toilet. It was permanently closed and changed to residential use in 2016 (courtesy What?Pub)
Victoria Inn
Cardiff Times - 27th August 1892
LOST ON A WELSH MOUNTAIN,
The North Wales papers on Saturday report an exciting night search after a lad, aged 16, son of Mr Williams, of the Victoria Inn, Llanfairfechan. A party set out for Carnedd Llewellyn. A fog came down, and at four o'clock it was decided to send the boy back on a small Welsh pony. Unfortunately he lost his way in the mist, and deviated in the direction of Aber Lake. He wandered about for hours on the mountain, and then, fearing he would fall over a precipice in the darkness, got off his pony, and passing the reins through his arm, remained there all night. In the meantime his parents, accompanied by P.C. Pugh, organised a search party. They, too, passed the night on the mountain, and returned without finding the lad. At daybreak he was able to strike a course for Llaufairfechan, where he arrived safely at 9 a.m.
Owen Williams died on 18th March 1942. At the time he living at Wylcwm House, Knighton. This was a boarding house run by Fanny Louisa James.
Owen Williams's will
I OWEN WILLIAMS of The Motor Depot Knighton hereby revoke all former wills and codicils made by me and declare this to be my last will I appoint my sister Jane Williams spinster of Berw Villa Llanfairfechan to be the executrix and trustee of this my will I bequeath the sum of one hundred pounds to my sister Mary Ann Jorss of Nelson Villa Llanfairfechan such legacy to be paid free of all duty The residue of my estate both real and personal I give and bequeath to my sister Jane Williams of Berw Villa Llanfairfechan absolutely Should my said sister not survive me I give and bequeath such residue of my estate to my brother John Henry Williams of 'The Rise' Westfa Road, Uplands, Swansea or his issue IN WITNESS whereof I have to this my will set my hand this 22nd day of October one thousand nine hundred and thirty five.
More on Albert Wooding
Albert enlisted for WW1 duty on the 8th December 1915 at Llandrindod Wells. He took his medical at Shrewsbury on 11th May 1916.
Details
Height 5' 7 ½"
Weight 8 ½ stone
On 2nd September 1916 the War Office wrote to Albert stating that he must show up for duty on 18th September 1916
Albert arrived early, joining for service on 8th September.
Albert Wooding DM2 209727 Army Service Corps
On the 20th September 1916 Albert joined his unit, the 13th Company, Mechanical Transport Depot, Army Service Corps, Grove Park, Lee, London.
Albert was on half pay, he would only receive full pay once he had completed his training.
The Brecon County Times - 5th October 1916
Llangmmarsh Wells.
War Notice. - Mr Albert Wooding, elder son of Mr and Mrs P J Wooding, Plas Newydd, Llangmmarsh Wells, has passed the test examination for motor fitters. He is one among four out of fifty candidates at a certain English camp who has passed this examination.
Albert would now receive full pay.
Albert was admitted to the Denmark Hill Hospital, which was the 4th London General Hospital of the Royal Army Medical Corps. on 23rd October 1917, suffering from dyspepsia. He was there for 6 days before being discharged fit for duty on 29th October 1917. For the 6 days he spent in hospital his pay was reduced by a half.
On 27th January 1918 he was admitted once again to Denmark Hill. This time he was suffering from measles. He was discharged 79 days later on the 15th April 1918 as fit for active duty.
Albert was finally discharged on 24th October 1919
Albert Wooding married Lilian Jones in Ludlow, Shropshire in 1927
Albert Wooding of Foxhill, Penybont Road, Knighton, died on 12th January 1968. His death was registered in Clun.
Albert was buried in Knighton's old cemetery. His wife Lilian followed him to the same resting place on 29th January 1975
