Waldo Williams - Life

Life

Williams was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. His father, a primary school teacher from Pembrokeshire, spoke Welsh and his mother spoke English. In his early years he himself spoke only English.

In 1911 his father was appointed headteacher of the primary school at Mynachlog-ddu, Pembrokeshire and it was there that Waldo Williams learnt to speak Welsh. In 1915 Williams's father moved to be headteacher of Brynconin School, the primary school at Llandysilio, Pembrokeshire.

After attending the Grammar School at Narberth, Pembrokeshire he studied at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he graduated in English in 1926. Afterwards he trained as a teacher and worked in various schools in Pembrokeshire, the rest of Wales and England including Kimbolton School. He also taught night classes organised by the Department of Extre-Mural Studies, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Williams married in 1941, but his wife died in 1943, and he did not remarry.

During the Korean War he refused to pay his income tax on pacifist grounds. He continued his protest until the ending of compulsory military service in 1963. During his campaigning he was sent to prison.

He stood as a parliamentary candidate for Plaid Cymru in the Pembrokeshire constituency at the 1959 General Election when he won 4.32% (2.253) of the votes.

He died in 1971 at St. Thomas's Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire and is buried at Blaenconin Chapel burial ground in Llandysilio.