1832 William Bythway was born. His father was also called William Bythway.

1847 William Bythway (junior) is said to have come to Llanelli from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire in order to become apprenticed to James Buckley the brewer.

1848 William started his five-year apprenticeship and his Indenture with Buckleys Brewery was dated 17th February 1848 and ended in November 1853. The conditions of his apprenticeship were strict stating that he should not commit fornication nor contract matrimony within the duration of his apprenticeship. He was not allowed to play dice, cards or any other unlawful games and he was not allowed to frequent taverns, which seems rather odd given the fact that his ‘Master’ was in the trade. His ‘Master’, James Buckley (1802-1883) was known as the Great James, industrialist, agriculturist, horticulturist and Shakespearean scholar.

1850 In August William juniors father the Revd William Bythway (1796-1874) was appointed to the Swansea/Neath Circuit where he served as a Wesleyan Minister until his departure in August 1853.

1851 The young William was apprenticed to James Buckley and lived at Elm Grove which was situated on the Brewery site close to the River Lliedi, at the lower end of Thomas Street and below Mark Place.

1853 At the end of his apprenticeship he was employed by the brewery as a clerk with an annual salary of £60, his board and lodgings were free.

1856 An announcement appeared in The Cambrian on 30th May: ‘The new Wesleyan Chapel was opened at Llanelli on Tuesday morning when Mr Bytheway [sic] presided at the organ.’ The Chapel was built in Hall Street in the Gothic style and the Architect was James Wilson from Bath, husband of Maria Buckley.

1860 William joined the Voluntary Reserves on 8th May and after serving in the ranks for 12 months he was given a commission as ensign which he resigned in 1863.

1861 William was living in Elms Grove, Thomas Street.

1864 William’s father retired to Manchester after 40 years as a Methodist preacher.

1865 William Bythway had frequent disputes with his employer, mainly over his salary.

1869 He rejoined the Volunteers as Lieutenant on 14th July.

1870 As manager of the brewery he earned an annual salary of £350.

1871 Joshua Wedge Buckley aged 36 and unmarried described as ‘Brewer’ was living at Elms Grove.

1872 Chalinder’s Llanelly Directory, shows that William Bythway was living at Elms Grove.

1873 Relations between William and Buckleys Brewery finally came to a head and they parted company.

1874 William Bythway senior died at Didsbury, Manchester, on 5th September.

1875 William Bythway opened his own brewery in the Tyisha district on land leased from David Lewis, Squire of Stradey.

1881 William was promoted to captain in the Volunteers on 27th July.

1882 He was promoted again to the rank of honorary Major and received an extension of service.

1895 Buckleys Brewery bought out William Bythway’s Brewery and then closed it. William was by this time 62 years of age and probably ready to retire.

1889 During 1889-90 William continued to be associated with the Voluntary Reserve and was President of Llanelli Rugby Football Club. In later years, although known as Major Bythway, he did not see military action. Like many other local businessmen his service was with the Volunteer Reserve Force.

1892 On 6th December Major Bythway received the Victoria decoration as recognition of his loyal and faithful service. He resigned his commission on 11th December 1895 owing to his failing health.

1897 In the Trade Directory for this year William Bythway was described as Justice of the Peace and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

1907 William Bythway died on 7th June aged 74 years and was considered a wealthy man for his time. He left an estate of £19,497 7s 6d and was buried at Old Road cemetery after a service in All Saints Church, Goring Road.

1908 Jane (née Longworth Dames, William’s wife) Bythway  died in November after suffering a long lingering illness.

1911 Following the death of William Bythway and his wife, a wooden carving of the Last Supper with an ornate reredos, and the stained glass in the east window was given to Llanelli Parish Church in their memory.

1919 Richard Thomas & Company Limited took over Bythway’s disused Brewery in Tyisha, which had previously been acquired by Buckleys Brewey.