Abergavenny - Notable People

Notable People

See also Category:People from Abergavenny
  • One of the eleven Victoria Cross gallantry medals awarded at Rorke's Drift was awarded to John Fielding from Abergavenny. He had enlisted under the false name of John Williams (VC). One was also awarded for the same action to Robert Jones (VC), born at Clytha between Abergavenny and Raglan. Another Abergavenny born soldier, Thomas Monaghan received his VC for defending his colonel during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
  • Matthew Jay, the late singer-songwriter, also spent much of his life in the town.
  • Saint David Lewis, Catholic priest and martyr, was born in Abergavenny.
  • Marina and the Diamonds (born Marina Lambrini Diamandis), singer-songwriter who was born and brought up in Abergavenny until she moved to London at the age of eighteen.
  • Malcolm Nash the cricketer famous for bowling to Gary Sobers who hit six sixes off one Nash over (36 runs) is from Abergavenny.
  • Owen Sheers, the poet, grew up in Abergavenny.
  • Abergavenny produced a world famous strongwoman, Vulcana.
  • Jules Williams, writer, Director, Producer author of The Weigh Forward
  • Raymond Williams (1921–1988) academic, critic and writer was born and brought up locally.
  • Oliver Thornton, West End actor - currently starring in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (musical), was born and grew up in Abergavenny.
  • Richard Wooles, Canadian Track Cycling Head Coach

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