Billy Kirwan’s father was a Welsh coal-miner, and his mother’s surname was Miller. He went to school in Inistioge but left at a very young age to work with the Forestry Commission as a lorry driver. Billy spoke about the brass band in the village and about all the members of the band. Growing up in the war years, Billy experienced rationing and food coupons. Even though they had very little, there was contentment in Billy’s family. He muses that his mobility as a lorry driver gave him the opportunity to make many acquaintances.
Keywords: Welsh, coal-miner, Inistioge, Forestry Commission, brass band, the Emergency
