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David Lloyd George's Pembrokeshire Connections.
The 'Welsh Merlin' of politics, David Lloyd George, had many Pembrokeshire connections.
Lloyd George's ancestors marched to Bosworth with Henry Tudor and, for their services,were rewarded with grants of land in Pembrokeshire.
During the nineteenth century, Lloyd George's father, William, was articled to Dr. Brown of Haverfordwest.
Finding medicine a disagreeable profession, he turned to teaching and opened a school in Mathry, a small hamlet between Fishguard and St. David's. One of his earliest pupils was Augustus John's father.
William George's first wife was Miss Huntley of Haverfordwest. They were married only a short while before she died and was buried in the churchyard of St Thomas a Beckett.
William then married Elizabeth Lloyd, who became David Lloyd George's mother.Their son was born in Manchester in 1863.
After his father's early death, Elizabeth tookherfamily to live in Caernarvonshire, with her brother, a cobbler.
David Lloyd George became a solicitor andhad a keen understanding of social injustice and poverty.
While still practising as a solicitor, he was elected as a Liberal MP for Caernarvon Boroughs in April, 1890, the youngest MP to sit in the House.
In 1908, there was a bye-election in Pembrokeshire, in which Walter Roch won a Liberal victory.
Roch was warmly congratulated by Lloyd George who sent a telegram: 'Bravo! Feel prouder of my native land than ever!'
Lloyd Georgehated the old Poor Law system, which allowed only a little financial assistance to the needy. He fought for a more egalitarian society. Although Asquith had introuced the Old Age Pension Act, Lloyd George is regarded as the founder of the Welfare State.
Lloyd George's Budgets of 1909 and 1911broughtin payments forthe sick, the infirm and theunemployed, too.
From 1916 to 1922, Lloyd George became Prime Minister of a coalition government.
Later, he was to take the title '1st Earl of Dwyfor'. It has been claimed that Lloyd George,the first Welsh Prime Minister, was also the most influential poloitician of the twentieth century.
Hallo Rhianne,
alking of the Lloyd George idea of the NHS, a lot of older people are annoyed about dentist's charges.They maintain they have paid their insurance and are entitled to free dental treatment.
I suppose we have to be greatful we don't have to pay to see the GP.
(In some countries,relatives have to bring food in for patients).
A friend took her cat to the vet and was impressed with the treatment.
'As good as the doctor', she said, before realising the bill was 700!.
Bye for now, Gill
I often get the feeling that Hospitals don't understand the patient is more important than any of them.
I once knew of a lady whowas in the doctor's so often she was known as Surgical Annie in the village. Things were different in those days. Our doctor had his surgery in what could best be described as a garden shed. There was no need to ask anyone what their complaint was, because all of us in the waiting room listened in!
A few years later, he introduced a refinement- he had a radio playing in the waiting room.
We can see the back of Withybush Hospital from our house. The first thing a friend who used to nurse inLondon said when we moved here twenty two years ago: 'You have a lovely view of
the hospital'. She genuinely meant it.
I suppose you see what you want to.
Kebabs are waiting! Hwyl, Gill
I wonder what DLlG would think of today's NHS?
I find it such an unpleasant experience visiting hospital these days. While attending the Radiography Dept recently all I could see everywhere were notices coveringthe walls demanding NOT to do this, DO that, REFRAIN from the other .... it was just too much for me I'm afraid!
Do you think Lloyd George would be surprised at the extent that this society has become a 'Nanny State'?