| Disgrifiad | The collection contains material relating to Charles Stephen Darbishire, the Darbishire family, Trefor Quarry, Haut Banc Quarry in Northern France and the Penmaenmawr and Welsh Granite Company Ltd. Due to the varied nature of the documents the collection has been divided into seven sections;
The Personal and Family papers consist of photographs of family and friends, documents relating to C.S. Darbishire's time in Russia, personal correspondence and the death of Mary Lillian Darbishire (mother of C.S. Darbishire).
Most interesting are the letters from C.S. Darbishire to his mother from the Haut Banc Quarry in Northern France (1917-1919) which offer an insight into Camp life, employee welfare, quarrying activities, the day-to-day pursuits and views of a Quarry Officer during the First World War and the effects the War had on him and others around him. Also discussed are personal and family matters.
The Charles Watkins Darbishire Papers relate to Charles Watkin Darbishire (1875-1925), the eldest son of Col. Darbishire, who was a Liberal candidate for the Wiltshire constituency of Westbury, had trading links with India and Singapore and was a member of the Singapore Volunteer Rifles.
The Quarry papers consist of documents relating to the Penmaenmawr and Trefor Quarries (predominantly the latter), North Wales;
Correspondence and documents relating to Employer-Employee relations, Quarry Accounts and Reports, quotations and declined orders to and from various British manufacturers and suppliers and an extensive newspaper article celebrating Col. Darbishire's 50 years of service to the quarrying industry (1928). Also included are 2 photographs albums (1926-1927) of official visits to the Quarry which include images of settmaking, quarryworkers, engines and inclines.
The North Eastern Railway Co. papers consist of documents relating to the aforesaid Company and the 'Darbishire Bros.,' Contractors; correspondence and documents relating to a contract between the 2 above mentioned for the working of Hulands Quarry, Co. Durham and Accounts for the N.E.R. Co. Also included are letters between the 'Darbishire Bros.' and the London & North Western Railway Co. regarding the proposed construction of a Railway along the Caernarvonshire side of the Conwy River.
The Proposed Railway Schemes papers consist of correspondence pertaining to the proposed Conwy Railway Scheme and The Mid-Flintshire Light Railway.
The Trefor and surrounding area related papers consist of documents relating to the Trevor Recreation Club, Trevor Village Hall and Playing Field, a photograph of Pwllheli Rotary Club at Plas-yr-Eifl, a photograph of Trevor pier (c. late 19th century), and documents relating to 'Maes-y-Cwm,' Chwilog,
The Motor-vehicle papers consist of correspondence and documents relating to the purchasing and repairing of motor-vehicles for the P. & W.G.Co. Ltd. and for C. S. Darbishire's personal use. Includes documents relating to a vehicle accident in which C.S. Darbishire was involved in the Parish of Clynnog.
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| AdminHistory | This collection relates to Charles Stephen Darbishire (1886-1971), the Darbishire family, Trefor Quarry, and the Penmaenmawr and Welsh Granite Company Ltd. with which it was connected. Stephen was the youngest son of Col. Charles H. Darbishire (1844-1929) of Penmaenmawr, North Wales. He became the Manager of Trefor quarry in 1918 (up until 1946) where he was a well-respected employer, following in the footsteps of his father who was Quarry Manager and 'model employer' at Penmaenmawr. He was commissioned in January 1917, and took the first formed quarry regiment - the 320th Quarry Company R.E. - to Haut Banc Quarry in Northern France (initially he was part of the 321st Quarry Co. R.E. in France). He completed his service in January 1919, leaving as Captain. Many of the 1000 strong men employed in the Quarry under the management of C.S. Darbishire were from the towns of Penmaenmawr and Trefor. The quarry made setts and the skills of the settmakers were needed to help build vital roads in France and Flanders.
During the Second World War C.S. Darbishire became a Major in the Penmaenmawr General Construction Company Regiment. |