Story
Nansi Williams' Heroic Act of Bravery
The Mapping Merthyr Through Women’s Histories workshop brought together staff from across the Libraries and Museum service and partner sectors to uncover, honour, and amplify the stories of women who shaped Merthyr. Informed by insights from the valley‑wide Heritage and Herstories community drop‑ins, participants each chose and reflected on a woman’s story that deserves recognition, creating a collective map of Merthyr’s past through diverse female perspectives. This project marks only the beginning — with hopes to continue these workshops and collaborate with more communities across the valley, further enriching and expanding the narrative of local women’s history.
Nansi Williams was an ordinary woman whose extraordinary courage became part of the story of Aberfan. Working as a dinner lady and school meals clerk at Pantglas Junior School, she was collecting dinner money from pupils on the morning of 21 October 1966 when disaster struck.
As the disaster unfolded, Nansi acted instinctively. She told the five children with her to get down before throwing herself over them, using her own body to protect them. Nansi lost her life, but all five children she shielded survived.
Her story is one of remarkable bravery, but it is also deeply rooted in the everyday life of her community. Nansi was a local woman carrying out an ordinary working day when she made an extraordinary decision to protect the children in her care.
Remembering Nansi Williams through Herstories ensures that her courage, compassion and sacrifice remain part of Merthyr Tydfil’s collective memory. Her story reminds us that women’s history is found not only in celebrated achievements, but also in acts of humanity that leave a lasting legacy.