Charles, B. G. (Bertie George), 1908-

Person

Charles, B. G. (Bertie George), 1908-

Dr Bertie George Charles (1908-2000) was an archivist and etymologist whose main fields of study were Pembrokeshire records, the Welsh dialect of the county and place-names.

He was born at Penparc, near Trefin, Pembrokeshire, in 1908, the son of John and Annie Charles and brought up on Tresinwen Farm, Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire.

Dr B. G. Charles received his secondary education at St Davids and Fishguard County Schools. His English teacher at Fishguard was D. J. Williams, writer and political activist. In 1926 he came to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, to study English and graduated with First Class Honours in 1929. He researched for his Master's degree at this University and his thesis presented in 1932 was entitled 'Norse relations with Wales'. He was awarded a doctorate for his thesis 'Non-Celtic place names in Wales and Monmouthshire' at the University College, London in 1935. Both of these theses were later published in 1934 and 1938 respectively.

In 1936 he was appointed a member of staff at the Department of Manuscripts and Records in the National Library of Wales. He held the post of Command Librarian while serving in the Royal Army Educational Corps during the war. In 1938 he married May Williams and had two daughters Helen and Isabel. Dr Charles retired in 1973.

His voice was familiar on BBC radio programmes mainly talking about the history of Pembrokeshire. Dr Charles was vice-president of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society. In 1992 his work The place-names of Pembrokeshire was published in two volumes. Numerous articles by him on local history were published in various journals.

Dr B. G. Charles was actively involved with the running of Aberystwyth Golf Club and was Honorary Secretary in 1961. He also served as president, captain and executive committee member. He died on 19 August 2000.