Anniversaries and Commemorations

2018 was a remarkable year for anniversaries and commemorations.

14 December 2018, marked the 100th anniversary of the first elections after the First World War, following the passing of the Representation of the People Act, February 1918. For the first time, women over the age of 30 and who owned a property could cast a vote. It was first announced on 14 November 1918 that the Parliament which had been sitting since 1910, would be dissolved on the 25th November and the elections were held on Saturday 14th December. The elections were known as the Khaki Elections. The Results were not counted until the 28th December, allowing for soldiers who were still on active service, to cast their votes.

At the time of the election, the Prime Minister was David Lloyd George (right), the First and Only Welsh and Last Liberal Prime Minister. It is Lloyd George whilst Chancellor of the Exchequer (1908-15) who laid the foundations for the modern Welfare State, and helped the nation to win the First World War. The outcome of the Election was a Coalition Victory, seeing Lloyd George remain as Prime Minister.
Lloyd George is also warmly remembered in the simple folk song “Lloyd George knew my father/Father knew Lloyd George”. Meanwhile, in Swansea, the Liberal candidate, Alfred Mond kept his seat, which he gained in 1910. The number of the Registered Electors in Swansea West, in 1918, was 31,884, however only 21,487 turned out to vote.
14th December 2018, also saw the unveiling, of another Blue Plaque (left), this one situated on the wall of Terrace Road School, commemorating Clara Neal. She was headmistress of the school from 1901-21. Along with her lifelong friend, Emily Phipps, she was involved with the suffrage movement, establishing the Swansea branch of Women’s Freedom League. Phipps was one of 17 women candidates who stood for the 1918 Elections. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be a photograph of Clara that has survived.

Copyright - The Bay Magazine, February 2019


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