Belgian Refugees in Rhyl
@refugeesinrhyl.bsky.social
All about the Belgian Refugees who came to North Wales during the First World War. Find us at:
www.refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
www.refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
Pinned
Belgian Refugees in Rhyl
Looking into the lives of the Belgian Refugees who came to Rhyl and the surrounding towns in the First World War.
refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com
The Belgian Refugees in Rhyl project was set up 10 years ago to tell the stories of the people who fled Belgium during the First World War and found themselves in north Wales. Our research is here: refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com and there are several new chapters to be added over the coming months.
The Welsh National Memorial at Langemark, Belgium.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
November 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The Welsh National Memorial at Langemark, Belgium.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
Photo taken last week on a trip to the battlefields by my son Ryan.
In the In Flanders Fields Museum last week we saw the Wales Memorial Chair - one of 120 which symbolise the empty chairs left at home when a soldier didn't return home. We supplied this chair to the museum back in 2018. It came from the home of the secretary of the Rhyl Belgian Refugees Committee.
November 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
In the In Flanders Fields Museum last week we saw the Wales Memorial Chair - one of 120 which symbolise the empty chairs left at home when a soldier didn't return home. We supplied this chair to the museum back in 2018. It came from the home of the secretary of the Rhyl Belgian Refugees Committee.
Last week we visited the expo "Ontheemd" (Displaced) which details the flight of the Belgian Refugees from their country during the First World War. It's fascinating, and on display in and around the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper / Ypres until next year.
November 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Last week we visited the expo "Ontheemd" (Displaced) which details the flight of the Belgian Refugees from their country during the First World War. It's fascinating, and on display in and around the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper / Ypres until next year.
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
From October 2025 until June 2026, the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper / Ypres will be hosting the exhibition "Ontheemd" (Displaced) telling the story of First World War Refugees in the museum and around the city. More here: www.inflandersfields.be/nl/programma...
September 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
From October 2025 until June 2026, the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper / Ypres will be hosting the exhibition "Ontheemd" (Displaced) telling the story of First World War Refugees in the museum and around the city. More here: www.inflandersfields.be/nl/programma...
I’ve written lots about the Belgian woodcarver Emile De Vynck (tinyurl.com/vynck) but not found much about his wife –until today. I found that Maria Regina De Vynck (née Sermeus) signed the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition in 1923. See here: tinyurl.com/WalesPP
The Welsh Women's Peace Petition - Viewing the signature of Maria De Vynck, Tyn y lech Pentrefelin
View the signature of Maria De Vynck, Tyn y lech Pentrefelin, Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd / Gwynedd
tinyurl.com
August 30, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I’ve written lots about the Belgian woodcarver Emile De Vynck (tinyurl.com/vynck) but not found much about his wife –until today. I found that Maria Regina De Vynck (née Sermeus) signed the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition in 1923. See here: tinyurl.com/WalesPP
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...
At Aberystwyth Arts Centre for the exhibition "Unsettled Lives: War and Displacement in Wales" yesterday, by
@centrecmop.bsky.social
Featured is the 1923 bardic chair from Cemaes, Ynys Môn (Anglesey) which was carved by Émile De Vynck, a Belgian Refugee. refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
@centrecmop.bsky.social
Featured is the 1923 bardic chair from Cemaes, Ynys Môn (Anglesey) which was carved by Émile De Vynck, a Belgian Refugee. refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
June 22, 2025 at 6:34 AM
At Aberystwyth Arts Centre for the exhibition "Unsettled Lives: War and Displacement in Wales" yesterday, by
@centrecmop.bsky.social
Featured is the 1923 bardic chair from Cemaes, Ynys Môn (Anglesey) which was carved by Émile De Vynck, a Belgian Refugee. refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
@centrecmop.bsky.social
Featured is the 1923 bardic chair from Cemaes, Ynys Môn (Anglesey) which was carved by Émile De Vynck, a Belgian Refugee. refugeesinrhyl.wordpress.com/chairs/
The exhibition "Unsettled Lives: War and Displacement in Wales" launches on 14 June in Gallery 2 of the Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Later in the year it will relocate to The Senedd. More here: aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/lives-war-an...
@centrecmop.bsky.social
@centrecmop.bsky.social
aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The exhibition "Unsettled Lives: War and Displacement in Wales" launches on 14 June in Gallery 2 of the Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Later in the year it will relocate to The Senedd. More here: aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/lives-war-an...
@centrecmop.bsky.social
@centrecmop.bsky.social
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/