Jan 232014
 

Dillwyn

In November 2013 88 year old Dillwyn Thomas marched at the Cenotaph for the first time as an Auxilier.

Dillwyn was a member of the Margam Patrol near Port Talbot.

He had kept his time in the Aux Units a very closely guarded secret and even his family did not know. He has now spoken to us about his time in Aux units but this is only a tiny part of an amazing life.

He has now recorded his life in a fascinating new book called ‘A View From The Main Ring’ which is available to buy… UPDATE – sorry, out of print.

Dill

His time in Aux Units was still secret when the book was written and only a few paragraphs discuss his time as an Auxilier.

The blurb on the book reads.

‘Eighty eight year old farmer and horse breeder, Dillwyn Thomas, has broken his 70-year silence to reveal his orders to destroy his home town if the Germans had invaded during the Second World War. He was part of a top secret Army unit that was ready to blow Port Talbot and the surrounding area “to smithereens” to stop the Nazis getting their hands on key sites.

Dillwyn went on to become a prominent figure in UK farming and horse breeding circles and has recorded his life history in A View From The Main Ring. It involves his role centre stage at the UK’s premier farming show, the Royal Welsh, conversations with royalty, an infamous shipwreck, acting with Richard Burton and the dramas of World War 11.

His life and experience has spanned the extraordinary changes of the twentieth century, from the days when manual labour and horse power drove the production of food to today’s computer chips and satellite systems. But it’s his innate understanding of people and livestock that have underpinned his work with the Royal Welsh and proved useful in conversations with Royalty.’

Dec 102013
 
Image by Wales Online

Image by Wales Online

After 70 years of silence Auxilier Dillwyn Thomas decided it’s now time to reveal what he did whilst serving with the Margam Auxiliary Unit.

Earlier this year Dillwyn took part in the very first march past the Cenotaph on Whitehall and was one of only two Auxiliers representing the whole organisation.

He spoke exclusively and in-depth to Jason Grey about his time in the Aux Units and his training.

You can see Jason’s full report and watch the interview here

Sep 262013
 

Margam Auxiliary Unit Patrol 2Today we have added a report on the Margam Auxiliary Unit by new Aux researcher Jason Grey (left).

Jason’s grandfather Aubrey Groom was the patrol leader and as far as we are aware this location has never been published before.

You can read Jason’s excellent report here