Dennis Walker

A Memory of Gilfach Goch.

I was born in 7 Hill Street, Garden City in 1930. I attended Hendreforgan school from 1934-1944, as did my three sisters and three brothers. Mr.Lewis was the Headmaster. On leaving school at 14 I worked for 3 years in the Britannic Colliery, Gilfach Goch, dangerous times, lovely mates, would not of missed it. From there I went to work for Great Western Railway in Westbury, Wiltshire for 50 years. (I use to watch the trains at Hendreforgan out of the school window and knew I wanted to work on them.)2 years in Gorious Glosters in 1949. Then back to the trains in Westbury. I was a fireman, shovelling the coal for 20 years, then lucky to drive the trains all over the West Country, "The Orient Express", "The Cornish Riviera", 5000 ton stone trains, and thousands of others. Not bad for a boy from Gilfach Goch. I am retired now but often come to Gilfach to visit my sister Nannette Roberts, who still lives in the family home, 7 Hill Street.

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