ffeil PE/5. - Traethodau Maurice James,

Maurice James (1916-1968) was an English teacher and a veteran of the Second World War. His father Maurice Lewis James was a railway worker, originally from Haverfordwest. At the age of twelve or thirteen he moved to Birkenhead where he met Maurice's mother. Maurice was born there on 26 February 1916. Subsequently, the family moved to 44, Heol y Domen, Bala. He was educated at Bala Grammar School between 1928 and 1934 before going to University College of Wales Aberystwyth where he graduated with First Class honours in English in 1938, before going on to gain a Teacher's Diploma. After spending a year doing research in the English Department he was called up to the army in September 1940.

During the Second World War he served initially as a signalman. However, his linguistic skills, particularly his knowledge of Italian and his interest in Italy, led to him being transferred to the Intelligence Corps. He participated in the first British War Crimes Commission trial in Italy in 1945 as the official interpreter. He eventually became Company Sergeant Major with the rank of W.O. II.

In 1947 he returned to Aberystwyth to continue researching for his MA but did not complete the thesis. He taught English at Huddersfield College from 1948 to 1957. In 1960 he returned to Bala to care for his widowed mother. He died there, 21 October 1968, aged 52. Maurice James was well travelled. He spent four months studying in Italy in 1937, and between May 1957 and August 1958 travelled through Canada, the United States of America and Mexico.