As communities and volunteers have been transcribing the 390,296 signatories from the 1923 Welsh Women’s Peace Petition to America, many have been identifying and uncovering the stories behind this generation of women who stood against war. Who were they – and what messages might they have for us 100 years later.

‘Hidden Histories’ project led by the WCIA invited people across Wales to uncover and share ‘peace stories’ behind the 390,296 women who signed the Peace Petition – not just ‘the great and the good’, but the thousands of ordinary women across Wales moved in the aftermath of World War One to petition for peace.

This story and supporting material were contributed by Margaret Bevan, that explored the history of Nance Parry (1881-1969).

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Nance Parry, 10 Albert Street, Aberae

Nance (Anne) was born in Aberaeron in 1881, one of six children to John and Margaret Parry*. She lived in the family home at 12 Albert Street throughout her life, remaining there with her brother John Lewis after her parents died.  As a young woman, she travelled occasionally to London to help her brother Evan* in his dairy in London until he married in 1914 and thus had his wife’s help instead. Otherwise, she helped her mother in the shop of the family woollen mill.

She followed courses run by the Royal School of Needlework and was an accomplished embroiderer, who adjudicated at local eisteddfodau. She suffered from chronic health problems throughout her life but was 87 when she died in 1969.   

*Margaret, her mother, and Evan’s wife, May, also signed the petition. The three became close friends.