Tribute to editor who united Welsh expats

THE man who founded an organisation to keep expat Welsh people in touch with their homeland has died.

T Elwyn Griffiths (pictured) celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year but died after a short illness at Plas Garnedd, Llanfairpwll, last week.

Born in Carmarthenshire, Mr Griffiths was a librarian with Gwynedd Council and its predecessors and lived in Caeathro, near Caernarfon, for many years.

He was active in the community and, at the time of his birthday, said he hoped to have more time to “contribute to Wales’ future”.

He founded Undeb y Cymry Ar Wasgar (The Union of Welsh People In Dispersion), now known as Wales International, in 1948 but its roots go back to the Second World War.

While serving with the RAF in Egypt, Mr Griffiths established a monthly newspaper for Welsh soldiers hankering for news from home.

He reasoned such a publication, largely in Welsh, would form a communication bridge which would make being stuck in the Middle East easier to bear.

The Cairo-based Seren y Dwyrain (Eastern Star) was launched in October 1943, the only Welsh publication ever to see the light of day in that part of the world.

Weeks previously, he had also been closely involved in another Welsh enterprise, the first-ever Cairo Eisteddfod, which proved hugely popular.

After the war, he used both these experiences to help launch Undeb y Cymry Ar Wasgar.

He told our sister newspaper Yr Herald Cymraeg in March: “During my editorship of Seren y Dwyrain discussions were held about what the future held, and how would we, as servicemen, be able to contribute towards our country’s development on our return to Wales after the war.

“It was then the notion of setting up some organisation arose, not just to serve the interests of servicemen abroad, but Welsh people overseas in general.

“I was appointed secretary of Undeb y Cymry Ar Wasgar, and remained in the post until 1988.

“It was deemed important that this organisation should have its own voice, and that was when our magazine Yr Enfys (The Rainbow) was born. Yr Enfys, in effect, is the direct descendant of Seren y Dwyrain. And you could say that Wales International was born in Cairo.”

The Wales International ceremony became part of the National Eisteddfod’s activities at Bridgend in 1948. Elwyn Griffiths’ didn’t missed a single day at the National Eisteddfod until 2009.

Mr Griffiths funeral will be at Capel Salem, Caernarfon, on June 12 at 1pm. He will be laid to rest in the cemetery at Caeathro.