Seeking the relatives of WWII hero
A SMALL village in the Netherlands wants to celebrate the life of a Welsh soldier who helped liberate the town – and is appealing for his relatives to come forward.
Seventy-five years ago, Udenhout, in the Netherlands, was liberated from occupation by Nazi Germany in a battle that resulted in the deaths of three British soldiers.
One of those British soldiers, who is buried in the churchyard of the Catholic Lambertus Church, was Moelwyn Howell Jones.
Frank de Hommel is a resident of Udenhout and has been researching information about Moelwyn.
According to Mr de Hommel, Moelwyn Howell Jones was born on September 21, 1919, on Abercynon Road, Abercynon.
His parents were Richard Jones, a miner, and Elizabeth Jane Jones, formerly Howell.
Moelwyn’s father Richard died the same year as his son, but his wife Elizabeth, who was born on January 9, 1893, in Penrhiwceiber, lived until 1974.
Elizabeth is believed to have lived on Abercynon Road until she died, and according to her death certificate, her nephew Evan Clifford Howell, who lived in London, was the informer of her death.
Moelwyn’s name appears on the Abercynon War Memorial.
Frank is also aware of two other relatives, who were living with Moelwyn’s mother, called Elizabeth Howell, born 1865, and sister Mary H Davies, born 1890.
If you have any information about Moelwyn Howell Jones or are one of his descendants, please contact Frank de Hommel by emailing figm.de.hommel@ kpnmail.nl, or reporter Lydia Stephens at lydia. stephens@walesonline. co.uk