1802 Hugh Thompson Waddle came to Llanelli from Spittal, Berwick-on-Tweed and started his foundry and engineering works around 1802 in the New Dock area of the town, the exact location of the site is open to speculation.

1814 Waddle moved his engineering workshop into new premises in the Wern district of Llanelli around 1814. His ‘new premises’ which housed his machinery had originally been a stone-walled flour mill built in the previous century.

1817 John Roberts Waddle, son of Hugh Waddle was born.

1830 A trade directory describes Hugh Waddle as an Iron Fonder and Steam Engine Manufacturer trading from Llanmore Iron Works.

1834 The Voters’ List shows that Hugh Waddle was entitled to vote by right of a house in Water Street

1835 Pigot’s Directory lists Hugh Waddle as Iron Founder and Engineer but does not give a location.

1844 By this time Hugh Waddle had formed a company with his son John Roberts Waddle which traded as Llanmore Iron Company, New Dock.

1845 John Roberts Waddle’s son Hugh Waddle was born.

1846 Hugh Thompson Waddle died whilst working at his Wern Foundry and the cause of his death was recorded as ‘a visitation of God in a fit’. According to John Innes he died aged 60. His son, John Roberts Waddle, continued to carry on the engineering business at the Wern.

John Roberts Waddle b 1817

Son of Hugh Thompson Waddle, founder of the earliest engineering works in the area

Described as being of exceedingly good dress and charm of manner, a skilful judge of horse-flesh who could handle the ribbons in style.

1849 The Hunt & Co., Trade Directory of 1849 indicates that John Roberts Waddle was trading as Ironfounder, Engineer and Steam Engine Manufacturer.

1853 John Roberts Waddle modernised the old engineering works which became known as Llanmor Foundry.

1866 John Waddle, Esquire lived at Caeglas, Greenfields and had achieved a social standing sufficient to be considered among the ‘Gentry’ of Llanelli. Around this time John Waddle invented a colliery ventilator known as Waddle’s Patent Fan which became famous.

1885 Waddle left Llanelli around 1885 and his son, Hugh (1845-1906), continued to manage the Llanmor Foundry.

1906 Hugh Waddle son of John Roberts Waddle and grandson of Hugh Thompson Waddle from Berwick on Tweed, died.

Elaborate Memorials to the Waddle family can be found at Holy Trinity Church, Felinfoel.

The Waddle family memorial at Holy Trinity, Felinfoel