A dinner lady who died shielding five children from the Aberfan disaster will be honored with a purple plaque to commemorate her heroism. Nansi Williams was collecting money from pupils at Pantglas Junior School on October 21, 1966, when a collapsed coal tip engulfed the school and surrounding homes in slurry.
Within moments, 144 people were dead, including 116 children. Aberfan survivor Paul Harries, who was six at the time, was one of the five children found alive under Williams' body. He stated that Williams gave everything to save them.
"She was holding as much of us as she could, and trying to get us under a table," Harries told the media for the first time. "Nansi Williams was a hero. A true hero. My hero." He added that without her actions, five more children would have died that morning.
Her godson, Dai Powell, who campaigned for greater recognition of her bravery, described her heroism as unbelievable and said that stories of what happened were passed down through his family for decades. He noted that while people might think they would act similarly in such a situation, it's impossible to know until tested.
Another individual, Bickley, highlighted that Williams went far beyond what was necessary, suggesting she could have saved herself but prioritized the children's lives. "She died, and they lived," Bickley stated.
The Aberfan disaster occurred on what was to be the last day of school before the half-term holiday. The 60th anniversary of the tragedy is approaching, and the purple plaque will be placed near the cemetery to recognize Williams' courage. The purple plaque scheme aims to honor notable Welsh figures and events.
