John Roberts Waddle

1868.

John Roberts Waddle ( -1887)

1845 Birth of son Hugh William Waddle

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1887 Obituary

DEATH OF MR. J. R. WADDLE, FORMERLY OF LLANELLY.

A well-known former inhabitant of Llanelly departed this life on Wednesday of last week, in the person of Mr J. R. Waddle. Before he left Llanelly some few years since, no gentleman was better known in commercial circles in Llanelly than the subject of this memoir. Though Mr. Waddle himself is a native of this town, the family whose name he carried is not an ancient one in Llanelly. His father was a Scotchman, and came to Llanelly as an ironfounder. Originally he had for his works the old ruin at Furnace, but in a while he shifted the scene of his operations to the New Dock. Increasing business, however, in course of time compelled him to enlarge his boundaries, and eventually he set up a foundry on the Wern, where the work is still carried on. When death came his son Mr. J. R. Waddle entered into his labour, and has made a famous name as a clever engineer. The chief article with which his name is associated is the colliery ventilation fan, and though he never patented it, he is still able to hold his own in this speciality against all comers. By this ingenious device, Mr. Waddle amassed a large amount of money, and it still is a source of considerable remuneration.

Apart for commercial prosperity and fame, Mr. Waddle has not been a prominent public man. He never sought the honours of civic life, but contented himself with less doubtful fame. He married Miss Hulme of Pembroke, and had two sons and five daughters. A few years since he left Llanelly, and made his home in Newport, where, though his residence in that town was short, he has made many friends, and a good name. Mr. Waddle was the Government Inspector of Mines for the Derbyshire district, and this was his duties connected with the works at Newport made his life a busy one. His death was sudden in the extreme.

He had proceeded Northwards to resume his duties and was in Edinburgh on Wednesday of last week, from which place a telegram was received by his son-in-law, Mr. E. R. Thomas, at his office in Dock-street, Newport, stating that Mr. Waddle was unwell. Miss Waddle and Mr. Thomas immediately determined to proceed to Edinburgh, but before they started their journey, yet another telegram arrived with the sad news that death had taken place.

In Newport Mr. Waddle’s love of coaching was as marked as it was here, and his drag and pair were almost daily to be seen in the Monmouth capital. Deceased was in his 71st year. The funeral, which was strictly private, took place at Llanelly, on Monday last, when his remains were interred in the same grave as his wife’s, in Felinfoel churchyard. The funeral procession was formed of about a dozen vehicles bearing, with his numerous relatives at Llanelly, a few near friends. The bearers were eight of his own workmen at Wern Foundry. The coffin was covered with many beautiful wreaths, one of which had been purchased by the employees. Rev. J. Roberts, vicar of Felinfoel officiated.

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