Emily Ellen Earland
Emily Ellen Earland married George Hayden Francis in 1902. After he was killed at Ypres in May 1915, she married Richard Watson in 1919. From both of her husbands she had children, and the information below explains who was the child of which husband, and gives any known information about them. To the right is a photograph of the grave of Emily Ellen, shared with her second husband Richard Watson, located in Holy Trinity Churchyard.
The information on Emily Ellen Earland, George Hayden Francis, Richard Watson and their children has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | Emily Ellen Earland | Date of Birth | 1883 |
| Date of Death | 8th August 1950 Buried 12th August 1950 |
| Place of Death | Ystalyfera |
| Age at Death | 68 (as given in The Labour Voice) |
| 1st Marriage | 1902 |
| 1st Husband | George Hayden Francis (1880-1915) |
| Children | (George) Cyril Francis (born Ystradgynlais 1904), later Rev. Cyril Francis and a missionary in Siam Hubert Morgan Francis (born Lower Cwmmtwrch 1908) Nellie Francis |
| 2nd Marriage | 1919 |
| 2nd Husband | Richard Watson (died 10th January 1935) |
| Children | Dick Watson Annie Millicent Watson (married Daniel Thomas Evans on 12th August 1941) |
| Family Details | Daughter of John Earland (born Devonshire, 1859), a coal-miner, and Eliza Jane (born Cornwall 1859) |
| Known Brothers |
John Earland (born Devonshire 1881), a coal-miner Sidney Earland (born Cornwall 1887), a coal miner, hewer |
| Known Sisters |
Eliza Jane Earland (born Ferndale, Rhonda, 1885), a dress-maker Henrietta Earland (born Cornwall 1890) Annie Louisa Earland (born Ystradgynlais 1890) |
Baptism records show all 5 children to have been baptised at the same time, at Saint David's Church, Ystalyfera, on 24th April 1922, despite their wide variety of ages.
For the death of George Hayden Francis, see here, his memorial page including the notices referring to his death and funeral in The Labour Voice newspaper during June 1915.
Emily Ellen's death and funeral in August 1950 were both included in the Llais now known as the South Wales Voice
From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 12th August 1950 :-
OBITUARY MRS EMILY WATSON
The death occurred with tragic suddenness of Mrs Emily Watson 83 Heol y Farteg, on Wednesday night.
She had been indisposed or a few days but no immediate anxiety had been felt by her family; she had been her usual cheerful self during the day and had partaken of her supper when she collapsed and passed away almost at once.
Native of the Rhondda Valley, she was 68 years of age, she had spent her girlhood in Cornwall and then resided in Ystradgynlais, coming to Ystalyfera 20 years ago.
She led an active life and was well known in the locality; a founder member of the Ystalyfera Branch of the National Spiritual Church, she had also been a member of the Labour Party, the Women’s Section of the British Legion and had served for some years on the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee.
Her husband predeceased her 16 years ago and she leaves two daughters and three sons, one of whom is Rev. Cyril Francis, who is a missionary in Siam; he is due to sail for home during this month.
From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 19th August 1950 :-
FUNERAL OF MRS E WATSON
Mrs E Watson 83 Heol y Farteg, who passed away suddenly on Wednesday of last week, was buried last Saturday at St. David’s Cemetery Alltygrug.
Family mourners were: Hubert Francis and Dick Watson sons; Sidney Earland brother, Doncaster; Dan and Lou sons in law; Jack and Bert Slough brothers in law; ….
Mourners at the house were: Annie and Nell daughters; Lil sister Slough; Addie sister in law, Doncaster; …