Sheikh Abdul-Hamid and the Indian Contingent

Rhyl History Club recently received an e-mail from Abdul-Azim Ahmed, the Deputy Director of the Islam-UK research centre based in Cardiff. He is exploring the history of Muslims in Wales, one of whom is the Architect Sheikh Abdul Hamid who was based in Rhyl during World War 2 with the Ministry of Works.
The Ministry of Works was a department of the UK Government formed in 1940 to organise the requisitioning of property for wartime use.

Whilst in Rhyl during the war Sheikh Abdul-Hamid took an active part in our town’s civic life, organising charity events for the Red Cross and St. John’s Prisoner of War Fund. He also organised Eid prayers in Prestatyn in 1941, where the guest of honour was the dethroned Monarch of Persia.
Sheikh Abdul-Hamid was also the Hon. organiser of Indian Festivities in Rhyl in March and October 1942, which included Indian Gala Balls at the Queen’s Hotel.

Whilst we were investigating Sheikh Abdul-Hamid’s time in Rhyl, a bigger story emerged. Who were the Indian visitors that visited Rhyl in 1942? Research revealed that they were part of the “Indian Contingent” – the forgotten Muslim soldiers of Dunkirk. They were three hundred Indian soldiers, part of the British Expeditionary Force, who, in May 1940, embarked for England from Dunkirk in the dead of night and spent the remainder of the war serving in Britain. This is fascinating history, to learn more click here.

During the visit to Rhyl in March the Indian visitors were entertained to tea at Bodrhyddan Hall by Rear Admiral R. Rowley Conwy. This was followed by a Gala Ball in Rhyl in aid of the Indian Troops Comfort Fund.

photograph by kind permission of Lady Langford, Bodrhyddan Hall.

In October they were welcomed at Rhyl Railway Station by Rhyl Town Councillors, Sheikh Abdul-Hamid and other well wishers. They had refreshments at Robins’ Corner Cafe, were conducted to various Rhyl homes which were providing their accommodation, and had lunch at the Sports Cafe on the East Parade. The visitors then attended the first performance at the Queen’s Theatre, followed by a visit to the home of Sheikh Abdul-Hamid at Sandy Cove where they enjoyed an Indian supper of curry, rice and unleavened bread – “a thoughtful and kindly gesture on the part of Sheikh Abdul Hamid” reported the Rhyl Journal. The climax of the visit was the second Indian Gala Ball in the evening, where there was record attendance at the Queen’s Ballroom with about 700 spectators watching from the balcony.

Here is an extract from the book “The Indian Contingent” by Ghee Bowman“:
“On 16th October 1942, a party of twenty Officers and VCOs was invited to the seaside town of Rhyl for a trip that included an overnight stay, all designed as a fundraiser for the ICF. According to Jemadar A.G. Khan, as they arrived ‘the clouds scattered and the sun came up… we were able to see the whole city blooming and glowing” Sunny Rhyl!
It continues ” They were taken for tea at the house of the Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire. Admiral R. G. Rowley-Conwy, where they were, of course, photographed”

photograph by kind permission of Lady Langford, Bodrhyddan Hall.

After their visit to Rhyl Sheikh Abdul-Hamid received a letter from the Contingent Welfare Officer, Captain Dr. Chandra, a portion of which is repeated here:
“I really believe that there has not been one single occasion comparable to this visit to Rhyl. It has not only eclipsed our last visit to Rhyl, but also all other visits we have made to other parts of Britain”.

Tragically, Sheikh Abdul-Hamid was killed by “enemy action” in the South of England during the V1 campaign in June 1944, aged 44. He is buried in Cardiff.

with many thanks to Abdul-Azim Ahmed and the Islam in Wales project https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/find-a-project/view/2618934-islam-in-wales

further reading:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-58466527

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/incredible-snowdonia-summer-1000-indian-18606507

Click to access bbc-north-west-wales-history-ww2-royal-indian-army-visit.pdf

Now and then – The Grosvenor Hotel

The corner of Bodfor Street and Kinmel Street with the Railway Station at the back of the image.

Lifeboat Saturdays

Does anyone know when “Lifeboat Saturdays” came to an end in Rhyl? Perhaps they’re still going? The tradition in Rhyl started in 1896. The Rhyl Journal in August of that year reported that although Lifeboat Saturday had been established for a few years, this was the first year that Rhyl had taken part. The report went on to say that whilst nothing elaborate was attempted, the result was a great success. £36 was raised for the RNLI, the equivalent of approximately £2,800 in today’s money.
The first Lifeboat Saturday was held in Manchester in 1891.

This is from the RNLI website:

“In 1891, a local wealthy industrialist Sir Charles Macara answered the RNLI’s call for help, following a lifeboat disaster. Five years earlier, 27 men from Southport and St Anne’s died while trying to rescue sailors from the stricken vessel Mexico.
The RNLI asked for funds and Sir Charles responded in style.
He was so concerned for the widows and children of the volunteers lost that he decided to organise a collection for them. Instead of asking wealthy philanthropists for money, he appealed to the man on the street.
Charles and his wife Marion got a committee together and organised the first Lifeboat Saturday in aid of the appeal. It was the world’s first charity street collection ever recorded, and the formula proved popular for decades to come.”
Macara made his own donation and also “brought charity to the streets, and the streets to charity” – the world’s first recorded charity street collection.

We know nothing about the above photograph, other than it looks very much like a Lifeboat Saturday in Rhyl, in the 1920’s/30’s perhaps?

The following are extracts from the “Rhyl Journal” of Saturday, August 15th,1896. Whilst the report begins with “nothing of a very elaborate character was attempted” it certainly sounds like a grand affair!

“Saturday was a beautifully fine day, and at about 10 o’clock the self-righting boat, “The Jane Martin,” was launched with some ceremony from the boathouse at the Foryd, and from there taken to the pier head, where the crew gave an exhibition of life saving and swimming. Prof. Frank Sinclair also entertained the large company which had assembled by his high diving performance and trick and ornamental swimming. The Rhyl Yacht Club had also arranged that the races which had been postponed from July 25th, should be sailed that day, and so the spectators who had assembled to witness the lifeboat practice had also the privilege of seeing some capital yacht racing.”

“During the time that the racing had been going on the ladies and the collectors were busily engaged gathering money from the large number of persons who frequented the Pier, Promenade, and streets. One could not turn a corner without being appealed to for help for the lifeboat. Mrs De Kance, assisted by Mrs D J Davies and Mrs Roger Price, had a stall by the entrance to the Pier for the sale of fruit, etc, while Mrs Clark and Miss Wilders presided over a fruit and flower stall by the fountain at the top of High-street, and were assisted by several other young ladies. At 2.30 the lifeboat procession started from the top of High Street, directed by Mr Aidney. It was headed by the Bugle Band of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (by kind permission of Capt Keatinge) and the brass band of the 2nd Shropshire Volunteers. The lifeboat followed, and then came a couple of smart boats, lent by Mr Hudson, with crews of ladies, representative of Oxford and Cambridge. The other attraction was the tableaux by the artistes from the Palace Theatre under the personal direction of Mr Edward Neville.”

“The West Parade, River Street, Wellington Road, Water, Queen, Bodfor, Kinmel, and High Streets were all visited in turn, and the spectators were given every opportunity of contributing to the funds. It was not the fault of the collectors if anyone escaped from putting their mite into the boxes or bags.”

Update:
Many thanks to Peter Dean who has been able to tell us when Lifeboat Saturdays in Rhyl came to an end: “There was a discussion in 2008 that ‘Lifeboat Days’ were not being supported as well as in previous years!  We continued with them until 2013 when it was decided to merge these events with Open Days at the Boathouse! RIP ‘Lifeboat Days’!”

This year marks the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI.

The name Rhyl

There have been lots of attempts to understand the origins of the name “Rhyl” but this one seems very convincing.
Taken from “The Journal” of Saturday, February 2nd 1901.

“The name of our town is pronounced as if it were spelt “Rhill” and not “Rhyle,” as we have often heard it pronounced. The meaning of the name has been the subject of much discussion, and several interpretations have been suggested, but there can be no doubt that it signifies a Salt Marsh. In all old seventeenth century documents the site of the present town is always described as either Tywyn yr hûl, or simply yr hûl or hŷl, which abbreviated becomes Rhyl. Tywyn means the Strand and hûl is the same as hâl or hêl, meaning brine, and then the land which brine flows over-a salt marsh. This exactly describes the condition of this district when the sea water ran up the water courses, and frequently flooded the adjoining land. Rhyl, which is situated in the Northern extremity of the lovely and renowned Vale of Clwyd, is one of the chief watering places in the Principality.”

Christmas Lunch

Thirty two members of Rhyl History Club enjoyed a convivial, festive lunch today. Many thanks to the Bod Erw for the lovely food and efficient service. Merry Christmas, Nadolig Llawen to all – we look forward to meeting again in the New Year when our January talk is “The Abergele Railway Disaster of 1868” by Tony Griffiths.

May Day 1954

Rhyl May Day had its beginnings in 1891. The Rhyl Record and Advertiser, in May of that year, described it as a “pronounced and unqualified success”. Mr John Morris, of the Central Carriage Works, was credited with the idea, the newspaper calling him “the father of the project”.

Mr John Nicholls has been in touch with Rhyl History Club and has kindly shared his copy of the 1954 May Day programme with us. John, who no longer lives in Rhyl, was the Crown Bearer to May Queen Gwyneth almost 70 years ago in 1954.

A selection of the pages are posted below, click on an image to enlarge.

Thanks to John for sharing this with us.