Exodus from Wales to Canada

In 1927 when the economy was very poor and the future did not look good in Wales, three men started an exodus from south wales to Canada. Robert Henry Weale convinced his son in law, Alfred Jones and David (Dai) Thomas to head to greener pastures.

They arrived in Quebec, Canada on April 30, 1927 and headed west to the Edson coal branch area in Alberta. At that time of year they did not find green pastures but snow up to their waists. They found work in and around the mines and brought their families out in August 1927. Many other friends and relatives followed at later dates.

With his self taught music and experience in conducting a band in Wales, Robert Weale started a band known as the Luscar Silver Band that became famous in Alberta for winning 1st prize at the Calgary Stampede and the Edmonton Exibition in both 1928 and 1929.

Alfred Jones was the son of Henry and Alice Jones (nee Manns). Alf as he was known, had 2 sisters and 3 brothers. Clifford, one of his brothers married Ealinor Galliers, they had two daughters, Violet and Gwinneth. Gwinneth married John Collins, they had two boys, Raymond and Peter. On October 21, 1966, 144 people lost their lives when the tip of a coal waste slid onto the village of Aberfan in South Wales. Gwinneth Collins and her boys were among them.