Care to join me to find out about the #BelgianRefugees in Rhuddlan? I've been invited by Rhuddlan Historical Society to talk about their refugees on Friday, October 2nd 2026 at 7.00pm, in Rhuddlan Community Centre (Parliament Street.) It would be great to see you there - I've got lots to tell...
September 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Care to join me to find out about the #BelgianRefugees in Rhuddlan? I've been invited by Rhuddlan Historical Society to talk about their refugees on Friday, October 2nd 2026 at 7.00pm, in Rhuddlan Community Centre (Parliament Street.) It would be great to see you there - I've got lots to tell...
A new chapter published today. It's about the Family Raes and their travels. Plus a brief look at #BelgianRefugees in Welsh Workhouses. refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/raes/
Raes
We found the name “Raes” in a document held in the Hawarden (Flintshire) branch of the North East Wales Archives entitled “Notes on Belgian Refugees sent to Holywell to close of October 1915” which…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
August 28, 2026 at 8:19 AM
A new chapter published today. It's about the Family Raes and their travels. Plus a brief look at #BelgianRefugees in Welsh Workhouses. refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/raes/
I travelled to Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd yesterday to see Eugene Van Fleteren's 2nd Bardic Chair - a temporary display. Van Fleteren was one of Birkenhead's #BelgianRefugees - he carved the iconic chair for the 1917 Eisteddfod and a 2nd for Neath in 1918. More here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
The Belgians and the Bardic Chairs
Belgian wood-carvers made a significant contribution to our cultural life in Wales. From creating what is probably the most iconic Bardic Chair to filling our churches and country estates with carv…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
June 1, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I travelled to Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd yesterday to see Eugene Van Fleteren's 2nd Bardic Chair - a temporary display. Van Fleteren was one of Birkenhead's #BelgianRefugees - he carved the iconic chair for the 1917 Eisteddfod and a 2nd for Neath in 1918. More here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
Hello fellow Belgian refugee researchers. Is anyone going to Kew sometime soonish and could look up a family for me in the History cards? Many thanks 🙏
#belgianrefugees #kew #thenationalarchives #research
#belgianrefugees #kew #thenationalarchives #research
May 18, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Hello fellow Belgian refugee researchers. Is anyone going to Kew sometime soonish and could look up a family for me in the History cards? Many thanks 🙏
#belgianrefugees #kew #thenationalarchives #research
#belgianrefugees #kew #thenationalarchives #research
This Thursday, April 9th at 7.00pm I'll be at Denbigh Town Hall discussing the #BelgianRefugees who stayed there. This is the final part of the annual Denbigh Heritage Lectures. If you're in the area, please come an join us, you'd be most welcome.
April 6, 2026 at 11:22 AM
This Thursday, April 9th at 7.00pm I'll be at Denbigh Town Hall discussing the #BelgianRefugees who stayed there. This is the final part of the annual Denbigh Heritage Lectures. If you're in the area, please come an join us, you'd be most welcome.
We're always on the lookout for more work by Emile De Vynck, a Belgian Refugee woodcarver based in Pentrefelin who made several Bardic Chairs. This week, we found a magnificent fireplace in a house in north Wales. Photo © Andrew Yale. See more: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/ #BelgianRefugees
February 2, 2026 at 11:57 AM
We're always on the lookout for more work by Emile De Vynck, a Belgian Refugee woodcarver based in Pentrefelin who made several Bardic Chairs. This week, we found a magnificent fireplace in a house in north Wales. Photo © Andrew Yale. See more: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/ #BelgianRefugees
Sat. 14 Feb, Bangor Music Festival: Llŷr Williams will play "Prelude and Fugue on Louvain." Inspired by Dr. Caradog Roberts' 1916 hymn tune "Louvain" and #BelgianRefugees at Bethehem Chapel schoolroom, Rhosllanerchrugog.
More here: tinyurl.com/BMFest
Listen here: tinyurl.com/LlyrWilliams
More here: tinyurl.com/BMFest
Listen here: tinyurl.com/LlyrWilliams
January 13, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Sat. 14 Feb, Bangor Music Festival: Llŷr Williams will play "Prelude and Fugue on Louvain." Inspired by Dr. Caradog Roberts' 1916 hymn tune "Louvain" and #BelgianRefugees at Bethehem Chapel schoolroom, Rhosllanerchrugog.
More here: tinyurl.com/BMFest
Listen here: tinyurl.com/LlyrWilliams
More here: tinyurl.com/BMFest
Listen here: tinyurl.com/LlyrWilliams
Merry Christmas! A new chapter published today looking at the "War Poets" and their involvement with #BelgianRefugees especially in Harlech & Penmaenmawr where Robert Graves & Wilfred Owen's families hosted Belgians. Also a brief look at Belgian Poets-in-Exile: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/writers/
The Writers and the Refugees
Robert Graves (Robert von Ranke Graves, July 24th, 1895 – December 7th, 1985) was a serving officer in the Royal Welch Fusiliers during the First World War. He’s also one of the country’s mos…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Merry Christmas! A new chapter published today looking at the "War Poets" and their involvement with #BelgianRefugees especially in Harlech & Penmaenmawr where Robert Graves & Wilfred Owen's families hosted Belgians. Also a brief look at Belgian Poets-in-Exile: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/writers/
An interactive workshop exploring the 250,000 #BelgianRefugees who came to Great Britain during the First World War will be held at The London Archives on October 23rd, 2025.
More here: www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/tracing-the-belgian-refugees-of-the-first-world-war
More here: www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/tracing-the-belgian-refugees-of-the-first-world-war
Tracing the Belgian Refugees of the First World War
In this interactive workshop led by a panel of expert historians you will learn more about the history of Belgian refugees and how to research it further.
www.thelondonarchives.org
October 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
An interactive workshop exploring the 250,000 #BelgianRefugees who came to Great Britain during the First World War will be held at The London Archives on October 23rd, 2025.
More here: www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/tracing-the-belgian-refugees-of-the-first-world-war
More here: www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/tracing-the-belgian-refugees-of-the-first-world-war
Flintshire Historical Society has invited me to talk about "The Belgian Refugee Monks at Talacre."
If you'd like to come along, we'll be at
Talacre Community Centre, Gamfa Wen, Talacre, CH8 9RT, on Saturday, September 27th at 2.40pm.
All welcome!
#BelgianRefugees
If you'd like to come along, we'll be at
Talacre Community Centre, Gamfa Wen, Talacre, CH8 9RT, on Saturday, September 27th at 2.40pm.
All welcome!
#BelgianRefugees
September 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Flintshire Historical Society has invited me to talk about "The Belgian Refugee Monks at Talacre."
If you'd like to come along, we'll be at
Talacre Community Centre, Gamfa Wen, Talacre, CH8 9RT, on Saturday, September 27th at 2.40pm.
All welcome!
#BelgianRefugees
If you'd like to come along, we'll be at
Talacre Community Centre, Gamfa Wen, Talacre, CH8 9RT, on Saturday, September 27th at 2.40pm.
All welcome!
#BelgianRefugees
Published today! The largest chapter we've ever written - by far. It has taken so many years to research and write. Much information here about the #BelgianRefugees in #Barmouth and #Tywyn. Take a wander along the Cambrian Coast here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/cambrian-coa...
Along the Cambrian Coast
The coastal area of the former county of Meirionydd hosted many Belgian Refugees, primarily in Barmouth where at one time it was reported that there were over 400 – so many so that the town n…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
August 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Published today! The largest chapter we've ever written - by far. It has taken so many years to research and write. Much information here about the #BelgianRefugees in #Barmouth and #Tywyn. Take a wander along the Cambrian Coast here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/cambrian-coa...
Here's the story of Joseph Pierre De Kock of Antwerp, one of the #BelgianRefugees in Llandudno. He was a driver for the Royal Red Motor Company, but seems to have spent more time in court than on the roads... sway.cloud.microsoft/f2zTymDltTLL...
Joseph De Kock at Llandudno
Joseph Pierre De Kock was a Belgian Refugee who was employed as a charabanc driver in Llandudno, working for the Royal Red Motor Company. He started working for Royal Red on December 11th, 1915.
sway.cloud.microsoft
June 11, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Here's the story of Joseph Pierre De Kock of Antwerp, one of the #BelgianRefugees in Llandudno. He was a driver for the Royal Red Motor Company, but seems to have spent more time in court than on the roads... sway.cloud.microsoft/f2zTymDltTLL...
Yesterday we received more information about #BelgianRefugees who stayed in Wales (primarily Barmouth.)
Also therein was information of Belgian girls who boarded at St. Mary's Convent in Rhyl during the First World War, which prompted a page update: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/sister-victo...
Also therein was information of Belgian girls who boarded at St. Mary's Convent in Rhyl during the First World War, which prompted a page update: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/sister-victo...
Sister Victoria and the Convent
What do we know about the Sister Superior of St. Mary’s Convent High School – the lady who was the driving force behind bringing the Belgian Refugees to Rhyl, and looking after them when they were …
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Yesterday we received more information about #BelgianRefugees who stayed in Wales (primarily Barmouth.)
Also therein was information of Belgian girls who boarded at St. Mary's Convent in Rhyl during the First World War, which prompted a page update: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/sister-victo...
Also therein was information of Belgian girls who boarded at St. Mary's Convent in Rhyl during the First World War, which prompted a page update: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/sister-victo...
Very happy to see @pplscollection.bsky.social here on BlueSky. Give them a follow! They've loads of great stuff to show you, like this baby's frock made by Belgian Refugee nuns in Newport, Gwent: www.peoplescollection.wales/items/414612...
#BelgianRefugees
#BelgianRefugees
Baby's frock | Peoples Collection Wales
Baby's white cotton lawn frock with high waistline, square neckline, full skirt and short sleeves. The bodice, neckline, cuffs and hemline are trimmed with...
www.peoplescollection.wales
May 23, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Very happy to see @pplscollection.bsky.social here on BlueSky. Give them a follow! They've loads of great stuff to show you, like this baby's frock made by Belgian Refugee nuns in Newport, Gwent: www.peoplescollection.wales/items/414612...
#BelgianRefugees
#BelgianRefugees
A collection of photographs by Prestatyn-based photographer J.T. Burrows was recently acquired by the North East Wales Heritage Forum. Around 80 photos have been published, among them one photo of the photographer's family with #BelgianRefugees
See the collection here: tinyurl.com/BurrowsPrest...
See the collection here: tinyurl.com/BurrowsPrest...
May 14, 2025 at 6:59 AM
A collection of photographs by Prestatyn-based photographer J.T. Burrows was recently acquired by the North East Wales Heritage Forum. Around 80 photos have been published, among them one photo of the photographer's family with #BelgianRefugees
See the collection here: tinyurl.com/BurrowsPrest...
See the collection here: tinyurl.com/BurrowsPrest...
Plaque unveiled at New College, Oxford, to commemorate the #BelgianRefugees: www.new.ox.ac.uk/news/new-col...
New College commemorates Belgian Refugees housed during the First World War | New College
www.new.ox.ac.uk
May 2, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Plaque unveiled at New College, Oxford, to commemorate the #BelgianRefugees: www.new.ox.ac.uk/news/new-col...
Just found this this mirror with a frame carved by Emile De Vynck, one of the #BelgianRefugees in Pentrefelin (He lived there 1914-1924). Mirror sold March '25 in Froncysyllte. Size: 127cm x 70cm. Auction note states 1916 as year of manufacture. More here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
April 25, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Just found this this mirror with a frame carved by Emile De Vynck, one of the #BelgianRefugees in Pentrefelin (He lived there 1914-1924). Mirror sold March '25 in Froncysyllte. Size: 127cm x 70cm. Auction note states 1916 as year of manufacture. More here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
Yesterday we had the great honour of welcoming the Family Van Goey to St. Asaph, to visit the grave of their ancestor Constant Van Goey, one of the #BelgianRefugees who stayed in the city. See here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/st-asaph/ for an update.
#StAsaph #VanGoey
#StAsaph #VanGoey
St. Asaph
There are two Belgian Refugee graves in the old Mount Road church yard in St. Asaph: The first is that of C. L. Brack. The inscription reads “In loving memory of my dear husband, C. L. Brack,…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
April 18, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Yesterday we had the great honour of welcoming the Family Van Goey to St. Asaph, to visit the grave of their ancestor Constant Van Goey, one of the #BelgianRefugees who stayed in the city. See here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/st-asaph/ for an update.
#StAsaph #VanGoey
#StAsaph #VanGoey
#Onthisday in 1945, Rhyl’s Marjorie Ashbery worked as a volunteer at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. She helped care for the surviving internees. Her father, Percy, had also dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts as the treasurer of Rhyl's #BelgianRefugees Committee. tinyurl.com/3sr8hz64
The Committee
As with most towns preparing to accept Belgian Refugees, a committee was formed in Rhyl to raise much-needed funds and ready the house for their arrival. Somewhere in the region of 18,000 ch…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
April 15, 2025 at 11:26 AM
#Onthisday in 1945, Rhyl’s Marjorie Ashbery worked as a volunteer at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. She helped care for the surviving internees. Her father, Percy, had also dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts as the treasurer of Rhyl's #BelgianRefugees Committee. tinyurl.com/3sr8hz64
Overnight, a huge amount of information arrived from Belgium: It ties together all the north Wales #BelgianRefugees communities and importantly contains the numbers of Belgians in each town.
Much work to disseminate it all. It's an incredible find. I'm beyond excited.
Much work to disseminate it all. It's an incredible find. I'm beyond excited.
March 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Overnight, a huge amount of information arrived from Belgium: It ties together all the north Wales #BelgianRefugees communities and importantly contains the numbers of Belgians in each town.
Much work to disseminate it all. It's an incredible find. I'm beyond excited.
Much work to disseminate it all. It's an incredible find. I'm beyond excited.
Two new chapters published today! Both concern the area once known as Maelor Saesneg in north-east Wales. The country estates took in some noble families from Belgium - tinyurl.com/saesneg and one family of #BelgianRefugees who came to Penley stayed and made a life here: tinyurl.com/famdoex
The Country Estates of Maelor Saesneg
Maelor Saesneg, or “Flintshire Detached” was an exclave of Flintshire County that was completely separate from the main body of the county, and surrounded by Denbighshire, Cheshire and Shropshire…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Two new chapters published today! Both concern the area once known as Maelor Saesneg in north-east Wales. The country estates took in some noble families from Belgium - tinyurl.com/saesneg and one family of #BelgianRefugees who came to Penley stayed and made a life here: tinyurl.com/famdoex
The programme for the annual Heritage Lectures series in Dinbych/Denbigh has been published. If you're interested in hearing about Denbigh's #BelgianRefugees, please join me at 7pm on March 20th 2025 at the Town Hall. All lectures are free to attend. See you there!
February 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The programme for the annual Heritage Lectures series in Dinbych/Denbigh has been published. If you're interested in hearing about Denbigh's #BelgianRefugees, please join me at 7pm on March 20th 2025 at the Town Hall. All lectures are free to attend. See you there!
There's a really interesting report on Milford Haven's #BelgianRefugees on the Western Telegraph website. Includes photos. Have a look! www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/2495411...
@westerntelegraph.bsky.social
@westerntelegraph.bsky.social
Remembering a Pembrokeshire town's hidden past with Belgian refugees
This week, Jeff takes a look at when Milford Haven welcomed Belgian refugees during the First World War
www.westerntelegraph.co.uk
February 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
There's a really interesting report on Milford Haven's #BelgianRefugees on the Western Telegraph website. Includes photos. Have a look! www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/2495411...
@westerntelegraph.bsky.social
@westerntelegraph.bsky.social
Thanks to a huge effort researching by our friend Mireille in Belgium, there is a major update to the info about the wounded Belgian Soldiers in Croesnewydd Hospital in #Wrexham. Take a look at the updates - there a new photos too: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/croesnewydd-2/
#BelgianRefugees
#BelgianRefugees
Croesnewydd Military Hospital
Wrexham and the surrounding towns and villages currently form Wrexham County Borough, but in 1914 they were part of Denbighshire. It remained this way until the reorganisation of the county borders…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
December 18, 2024 at 12:03 PM
Thanks to a huge effort researching by our friend Mireille in Belgium, there is a major update to the info about the wounded Belgian Soldiers in Croesnewydd Hospital in #Wrexham. Take a look at the updates - there a new photos too: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/croesnewydd-2/
#BelgianRefugees
#BelgianRefugees
A brand new chapter published today - about the #BelgianRefugees who found a home in #Penmaenmawr at a house called "Noddfa" which is Welsh for "Sanctuary"... Take a look: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/penmaenmawr/
Sanctuary at Penmaenmawr
In Penmaenmawr, Belgian Refugees lived a house named “Noddfa,” which translates from Welsh to “Sanctuary,” “Refuge,” or “Asylum.” This house is not the same house as the one called Noddfa which tod…
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
December 16, 2024 at 10:51 AM
A brand new chapter published today - about the #BelgianRefugees who found a home in #Penmaenmawr at a house called "Noddfa" which is Welsh for "Sanctuary"... Take a look: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/penmaenmawr/