J R Lloyd Thomas

John Roland Lloyd Thomas (1908–1984) was educated at King's College, Taunton, and after three years with a Cardiff Docks shipping firm, entered St David's College, Lampeter, where he graduated in Theology.
Ordained to the Llandaff diocese in 1932, he served as assistant curate of St john Baptist, Cardiff, 1932-39; served with the R.A.Ch.D., 1940-44, and saw overseas service with the First Army in Tunisia and the 5th Army in Italy.
Afterwards, he returned as Rector of Canton, Cardiff, 1944-49; moved to St Mark's, Newport, 1945-52, and was made dean of Monmouth and Vicar of St Woolos Cathedral, 1952-53. He was elected Principal of St David's College Lampeter in 1953 - the first graduate of the College to hold this role – and led it into membership of the University of Wales, saving it from almost certain bankruptcy. He retired in 1975.