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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:52 pm

I have received notification of a plaque unveiling event to be held at No. 10, Meadow Street, Treforest, Mid-Glamorgan, CF37 1SR. The former home of James Egan, who as Private 25th Brigade/798 James Hagan, served in ‘B’ Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment at the Defence of Rorke’s Drift, 22nd-23rd January, 1879.

The ceremony to honour James Egan will take place on Saturday, 27th January, 2024 at 14:30hrs, all are welcome to attend, however I am told that parking may present a problem in Meadow Street itself. Hopefully alternative parking can be found nearby.

JY

Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2024 3:17 pm

On Saturday 27 January 2024, a Blue Plaque was unveiled at 10 Meadow Street, Treforest, to honour the deeds of James Egan. James had served as 25B/798 Private James Hagan and was a member of B Company 2/24th at Rorke’s Drift on 22/23 January 1879. Originally, from Co Tipperary, he enlisted at Monmouth 25 March 1876 and was discharged from the reserve on 23 March 1888 having seen overseas service in both South Africa, Gibraltar and India. He died at his home in Meadow Street on 27 May 1916 and was buried in Glyntaff Cemetery. A new headstone in the cemetery was unveiled in 2009.

The unveiling of the blue plaque was performed by James Egan’s great granddaughter, Mrs Maria Kerr, a former Army QA Nurse and she was assisted by Councillor Dan Owen-Jones, the Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taff. Many of the extended Egan family were present to witness the unveiling together with John Young, the noted Anglo-Zulu war historian and Glyn Baker, son of actor/’Zulu’ producer Sir Stanley Baker. The Pontypridd Comrades Standard Bearer and Shenkin IV provided The Royal Welsh presence. James Egan now joins the notables of Pontypridd who have been honoured with a blue plaque, notably Sir Tom Jones and opera singers Sir Geraint Evans and Stuart Barrows.