H W Lloyd of Bala Collection

The H. W. Lloyd collection at the National Library of Wales contains over 400 negatives taken from around 1900 to 1925.  The photographer is believed to have been H. W. Lloyd who, according to the sticker on the reverse of one of the images, was a pharmaceutical chemist at 72, High Street, Bala.  Most of the negatives are glass with a few made from original film.  The subjects included are wide.  Ranging from German prisoners of war to "y Sasiwn" (a preaching festival), and tranquil rural scenes to the dedication of the war memorial.  Contained within the collection are groups of images of a single event or of events that took place regularly.  

The arrival of 300 German POWs at Frongoch Camp on 24th March 1915 was noted in The Cambrian News that week.  In this collection the POWs contribute images which are believed to have been turned into postcards to be sent home.  The images are from theatrical productions and of the men in their uniforms.  The theatrical productions appear to have been varied with variety type acts, plays and orchestral performances recorded here.

As was normal for the time, events surrounding the religious life of Bala figured prominently with "Sasiwn" parades taking place regularly.  There are images of several of these, but the 1901 parade seems to have been particularly well supported with large numbers of children attending.  Additionally the missionary programme was active with exhibitions showing the progress of works overseas.

View themed selections from the collection:

Bala and People

Sasiwn and Exhibitions

Frongoch POWs

Go to the full library catalogue to access the complete collection (enter 'H. W. Lloyd photographic collection' in the search box).

More information on some of the events associated with these images can be found at:
The Cambrian News newspaper archive at the National Library of Wales;Gwynedd Archives Service (for Meirionydd Record Office): www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp
From the Welsh Biography online:
T E Ellis: yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s-ELLI-EDW1859.html
Thomas Charles: yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s-CHAR-THO-1755.html
The Army: www.army.mod.uk
Kaiserliche Marine: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiserliche_Marine
Luftstreitkräfte: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luftstreitkr%C3%A4fte