Frederic Dyke Sydney Simons

Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil: 1906-1907

Frederic Dyke Sydney Simons - Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil

(Photograph Courtesy of Graham Simons)

Frederic Dyke Sydney Simons - Appointment as High Constable

(Courtesy of Graham Simons)

'DEATH OF MR SYDNEY F. SIMONS'

'Well-known Merthyr Solicitor'

Mr. Sydney F. Simons, the well-known Merthyr solicitor, died at his home, Penybryn, Cefncoed, to-day. Mr. Simons was taken ill on Friday and passed away a few hours later. He is survived by his wife and five sons. Mr. Simons, who was 67 years of age, was the son of Mr. William Simons, himself a widely-known solicitor in South Wales many years ago. Educated at Malvern College and the Cardiff University College, Mr. Simons was admitted as a solicitor in 1893 and practised in Merthyr. As a young man he took a keen interest in sport at Merthyr, being a member of the Merthyr tennis, golf, hockey and cricket clubs. He became prominent as the ardent advocate, on the old Merthyr District Council, of the conversion to a corporation and was solicitor to the movement securing the charter for Merthyr.

'Mayor of the Town'

He was elected to the Merthyr Corporation in 1905 and was Mayor of Merthyr in 1906-7. In ensuing years he devoted his energy to the organisation of free libraries and was instrumental in obtaining grants of £12,500 from the Carnegie Fund towards the erection of suitable buildings. He was also prominently associated with the movement which led to the establishment of the Taf Fechan Waterworks. He remained a member of the Merthyr Corporation until 1913, when he resigned. Mr. Simons was also associated with the Merthyr Electric Traction and Lighting Company, as solicitor, from its inception. He was also a past president of the Merthyr Chamber of Trade and of the Federated Chambers of Trade of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Mr. Simons was a Mason since 1892 and became Worshipful Master of the Loyal Cambrian Lodge in 1911. He was president of the Merthyr Law Society since 1933. He was a member of the firm of Simons, Smyth and Daniel. In recent years, he took an active part as a member of the Merthyr Development Committee which is occupied with the work of obtaining new industries for Merthyr. 

Transcribed by Graham Simons.

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