On 16th January 1840, John Frost, Zephaniah Williams and William Jones were all found guilty of high treason for taking part in the Newport Chartists Riot and sentenced to hanging, drawing and quartering, the last time such a sentence was issued in the UK.  The severity of the sentences shocked many people and protests led to it being commuted to transportation for life.

When they received a total pardon in 1856. Jones stayed in Australia as a watchmaker and Williams stayed in Tasmania, where he subsequently made his fortune discovering coal.   However, John Frost, who had worked as a school teacher in Tasmania, returned to Britain, where he received a triumphant welcome in Newport and by the time of his death in 1877, the majority the reforms for which the Chartists had campaigned were enshrined in law.  

Cymru Fydd

After years of dormancy Welsh nationalism began to re-emerge in the second half of the nineteenth century and there were calls from Liberals and Welsh Nationalists for specific bills of Parliament for Wales and especially Home Rule.  The Cymru Fydd movement was founded in 1886 by some prominent London Welsh, including J. E. Lloyd, O. M. Edwards, T. E. Ellis, Beriah Gwynfe Evans and Alfred Thomas, with the main objective of self-government for Wales.

 It also became the vehicle for the political ambition of Lloyd George but collapsed after an unsuccessful attempt by him to merge with the South Wales Liberal Federation on 16th January 1896 in Newport, at which he was howled down and refused permission to speak.  After the collapse, Lloyd George became disillusioned and switched his attention to the British matters and as T.E. Ellis had already joined the Government, Cymru Fydd lost most of its impetus.   

Born on this day 1958 in Pill, Newport.

Tony Pulis former professional soccer player, but best known as a manager. Pulis has a reputation for the long ball style of play and achieving results on small budgets. He is best known for taking Stoke City to the Premier League in the 2007–08 season and is currently the head coach of West Bromwich Albion.  

Born on this day 1929 in Brecon 

Walley Barnes - former Welsh soccer international and manager 

Barnes played his club football mainly for Arsenal and was part of their Championship-winning side in 1947-48 and FA Cup winning side in 1949-50.  After retiring from playing, Barnes worked as a presenter for the BBC, covering FA Cup finals and along with Kenneth Wolstenholme in 1964, was one of the commentators for Match of the Day.  He also provided expert opinion to Wolstenholme during the famous live commentary to the 1996 World Cup final of England versus Germany.  

Born on this day 1741 in Bodvel, Caernarvonshire

Hester Thrale - a prolific and versatile writer, remembered primarily for being a biographer and friend of the famous writer Samuel Johnson and Brecon-born actress Sarah Siddons.  She was also the author of works on English grammar and European history,  one of the first women to attempt these genres, 

Hester who was descended from Henry VII was described as being only 4 feet, 11 inches tall, with an animated face, touched with rouge.   She was clever, vivacious, independent, with a sensitive nature and a good horsewoman.  Her handwriting was delicate and was skilled in languages reading Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish.  In 1763, she married a wealthy brewer named Henry Thrale and was able to enter London society and as a result became celebrated for her connections with eminent men including Samuel Johnson, becoming closest friend and confidante.  Johnson visited Wales in Thrale's company on several occasions.  In 1781 Thrale died, and his wife was left a wealthy widow. To Johnson's dismay, she married Gabriel Piozzi, an Italian singer and composer and set off for Italy.  Johnson openly disapproved and the resulting estrangement saddened his last months of life.

Born on this day 1862 in St Pancras, London (of Welsh parents)  

Leifchild Stratten Leif-Jones, 1st Baron Rhayader - MP and member of the Privy Council, best remembered as a temperance leader and as such he was often  referred to as 'Tea-leaf Jones'. He was President of the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA), the leading British prohibitionist organisation, between 1906 and 1932.

     

On 16th January 1909 Tannatt Edgeworth David led the first expedition which successfully reached the Magnetic South Pole.  David, who was born at St. Fagan’s rectory, near Cardiff in 1858 was also a geologist noted for his monumental study of the geology of Australia.