Wales’ 27th Purple Plaque set to mark the courage of lifesaving Aberfan dinner lady, Nansi Williams

Wales’ 27th Purple Plaque is set to be unveiled in Aberfan to mark the courage of Nansi Williams who sacrificed her life to save five children at Pantglas Junior School while collecting the dinner money on the morning of October 21, 1966 when a coal tip engulfed the school in a tragedy still vividly remembered 60 years on.

The Purple Plaque will be unveiled on the cemetery wall in Aberfan on Friday October 30th, six decades after the tip disaster struck.  

It is a fitting tribute to Nansi who was born and lived at Cemetery House in Aberfan until her untimely death in 1966.

Her godson and relation, David Powell, from Merthyr Tydfil, has long campaigned for recognition of Nancy’s bravery. He said: "I was five years old on the day it happened but I was in a different primary school [Perthygleision Infants]. 

"After it happened I was shipped up to my grandparents in Merthyr, like a lot of children. There were so many bereaved families. I do remember we could see all the arc lights and people digging, the noise always stuck with me.

"Nansi was there in Pantglas collecting the dinner money.

"So many died that day but she was never really mentioned and she gave her life to save five children. Of course it was talked about in the family - my father was her first cousin - but not really outside that. That's why I'm so pleased she's getting some recognition in the community with the plaque.

"All that side of the family lived in cemetary house, and Nansi was born there. That's why it's right the right place for the plaque to be, on what would have been the wall of her house." 

Jane Hutt, of Purple Plaques Wales, said: “I am so pleased we are able to recognise a truly remarkable woman in Nansi Williams. We have celebrated women’s remarkable achievements in areas such as sport, literature, the arts, politics and community activism - but we have never, until now, celebrated someone who made the ultimate sacrifice like Nansi did. Hers was a completely selfless act and her urge to protect the children must have been instinctive. We truly are so proud to help make sure this is marked with a fitting tribute in this Purple Plaque.”

Purple Plaques Wales is grateful to generous donations from UNISON* to fund the plaque and for the support of the community in Aberfan and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council for their help in making sure this plaque could be unveiled.

*Unison Cymru Wales and CTM UHB Unison