Hi Nicola My, you are quick. Yes, I thought the story was well-known but I would like to have confirmation of it from some source or other. Would the Free Press carry it? The major reason that I want it confirmed is that my Dad said that he had seen the body in the river and alerted a passer-by about it. He said that he never heard any more about it at the time except that it was a young man. I want to know because of something my Dad said that he had heard later. The young man had either been due to return to the Western Front or was about to be conscripted into the army. As for Pontnewynydd Primary School, I read on the school website that the local council were thinking of closing it. What would they do with it and where would the local children go as a result of its closure? It has always been a landmark for me on my visits to my grandmother, aunt and cousin, standing out as the only red brick building in the vicinity. >From Google Earth's Street view, admittedly about 3 years old, the building looks as if it could do with some TLC with some mis-shapen windows due to subsidence and probably other hidden faults. If it were that age here in WA it would be declared a heritage building and the only way it could be closed and demolished is if someone came along and burned it down one night. Don't laugh, it's already happened at least 5 times ( 4 Hotels and one large primary school ) to my knowledge, though they caught the people who burned down the school. Thanks for the offer about the school records. Dad was there from about 1915 to about 1921/2. If you have anything from those years his name was Raymond Rees Lewis and he lived in Snatchwood Road. Gwent Archive said that they would get back to me when I emailed them a few days ago so that's why I asked about them on the list. I emailed the principal also to ask about records and photographs but I expect she's so busy defending her school, staff and students that she hasn't had any time to reply yet. When I retired in 1999 as a full time high school teacher, I did a few years as a relief (supply) teacher in a number of schools in the area. They were and still are so short of high school teachers that I could have worked five days a week if I had wanted. The same probably applies in Torfaen. Once again thanks for your quick reply and interest in my request. Regards Ray On 18/09/2013 4:56 PM, NICOLA THOMAS wrote: > Ray > This is a well known story in Pontnewynydd. <snipped>