On 23 November 1938, Wales’ Temple of Peace & Health – WCIA’s home today – was opened by Minnie James of Merthyr Tydfil (who had lost 3 sons to WW1), representing war bereaved mothers of Wales and the world. The Temple was to be the nation’s memorial to the fallen and – as a ‘living memory’ to honour their loss – headquarters to movements that woudl lead Welsh efforts to build peace, health and international cooperation for future generations.
The Temple was gifted to the nation by David Davies of Llandinam alongside his sisters Gwendoline & Margaret Davies of Gregynog, who had all served in France in WW1 and were so horrified by their experience of war that – as with many of their generation – they dedicated much of their lives and fortunes to peace building. The task of designing a bricks and mortar ‘peace building’ had been entusted to then rising art deco architect Percy Thomas, whose work on the Temple earned him the prestigious RIBA Gold Medal for Architecture – of its time a truly world leading building, that remains iconic today.
At its opening the Temple became HQ to two organisations who had been leading efforts for human cooperation throughout the interwar era: in the ‘Peace Wing’, the Welsh League of Nations Union (WLNU) – whose campaigns for international cooperation have been extensively explored by WCIA peace heritage volunteers over recent years. The ‘Health’ wing housed the snappily titled King Edward VII Wales National Memorial Association for the Eradication of Tuberculosis (thankfully usually shortened to WNMA!), who heritage and history has been far less explored – until now.
On 23 November 2023, 85 years to the day after the grand opening ceremony of the Temple, WCIA were delighted to host a reception and book launch of ‘The First NHS’ by Emma Snow, with a panel of speakers and audience who together explored the largely forgotten history of the Temple’s – and Wales’ – ‘Health Heritage‘. This is particularly significant among the current programme of events marking the 75th Anniversary year of the NHS from 5th July 2023 – 2024.
The panel of speakers brought Emma Snow’s story of ‘The First NHS’ alive by representing voices from the past, through a series of monologues from 1910 to 1948; followed afterwards by their own personal and professional reflections, from being in similar or equivalent roles today:
- Dr Gill Richardson, Chair of WCIA and Public Health Wales consultant.
- Craig Owen, WCIA Heritage Advisor – Heritage of the Temple of Peace
- Emma Snow, ‘First NHS’ Author – Researched and shared the story of the WNMA (Wales National Memorial Association), voicing the role of her great-grandfather John Tomley – who co-founded WNMA. Emma is CEO of Health & Social Care charity ‘Community Opportunity’, and works in change management for an NHS Acute Health Trust.
- Aneira Thomas, first baby born under the NHS on 5thn July 1948, & author of ‘Hold on Edna‘
- Daniel Davies, descendant of Temple of Peace and WNMA co-founder David Davies of Llandinam, who has worked for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
- Professor Dyfed Huws, Director of Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Public Health Wales (Consultant in Public Health Medicine).
- Huw Williams, Chief Legal Advisor, Welsh Government
- Dame Nia Griffith MP, Member of Parliament for Llanelli and Shadow Cabinet Officer Minister
- Julie Morgan MS, Senedd Member Cardiff North and Deputy Minister for Social Services
- Keith Moger, History of Medicine Society in Wales – former manager with South Glamorgan Health Authority and Public Health Wales, and 1988 author of Temple 50th Anniversary profile ‘A Contribution to the Nation’s Health‘.
Emma Snow’s Book ‘the First NHS’ – Press Release Info from Pen & Sword Publishers
View Pen & Sword Press Release
“A fascinating and personal story of the beginnings of the NHS, reminding us of its vital importance in the current climate of crises and loss of confidence.”
Dr Russ Hewson, NHS Consultant Intensivist and Anaesthetist
We all think the NHS was first dreamed up by Nye Bevan when he became minister of health in 1945. Yet experiments with the NHS and welfare state in fact started many years before. Inspired by a doctor who coined the phrase “national health service” in 1910, John Tomley and David Davies took steps to pilot the first ever national health service, focusing on TB in Wales, the WNMA. Through the findings of the WNMA’s work, as well as John’s work as a local health commissioner and UK leader of the largest health service providers, the friendly societies, John campaigned for effective treatment for TB, including prevention and a national health service.
John successfully led the campaign for the government’s Welsh TB Inquiry, which led directly to the Beveridge Report and the founding of the NHS and wider welfare state in 1948. His family then forgot about his work, due to the ravages of a genetic disease, so John’s story has never been told. Meanwhile the NHS, which John helped to found, also led to a cure for this disease for his great-great-granddaughter.
The moral of this surprising tale? If John can do it, any of us can. We have what John described as the “golden keys’ in our hands. By understanding the crucial information John gave us from his life’s work, the importance of fighting all the Beveridge Report’s Five Giants at once, we can tackle the social determinants of health today, and change people’s lives for our generation and future generations.
“Emma Snow has a lifelong interest in, and knowledge of, the history of the NHS, through its precursors and early gestation in Wales. The key involvement of John Tomley too long has been neglected. This fascinating and detailed narrative provides a new and accurate perspective of the greatest of all the United Kingdom’s contributions to social policy and public benefit.”
Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE, KC – Former MP for Montgomeryshire
About the Author
Emma Snow is chief executive of health and social care charity Community Opportunity, works in change management for an NHS acute trust, and is an independent member of Oxfam GB’s Audit & Risk Committee. Emma has two decades’ experience in the health and social care sector. She has been director of finance for national charities including the Refugee Council and Terrence Higgins Trust, as well as a trustee of charities including Anti-Slavery International and HDYO. Emma lives with her husband and daughter in the Cotswolds.
