In the year 1866 he left school at Bridgend, and was articled as surveyor to Mr Leyshon Rees of Hirwaun, He remained with him for a period of three years, till 1869, when he was engaged as surveyor at the Ocean Colliery, Cwmpark. 

In 1870 he was appointed Surveyor and Under-manager at Bwllfa and Merthyr Dare Collieries, and Manager in 1877. He became a member of the South Wales Institute of Engineers in 1878, Member of the Aberdare School Board in 1879 and of the Aberdare Local Board of Health in 1882. In 1891 the present Bwllfa Company was formed. He was appointed Director and Resident Colliery Agent. In 1897 he was President of the Colliery Managers Association and in in 1899, a member of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coal Owners Association. In 1899 he became High Constable of Miskin Higher and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Glamorgan in 1909. He was made High Sherriff of Breconshire in 1916.During his long and busy life he also acted as Director of many Colliery Companies.

Character and Personality

He was a man of outstanding personality, who by sheer force of character overcame apparently, insurmountable obstacles. Possessed of great energy and foresight, he changed the history of the Bwllfa Colliery, and incidentally the upper portion of the Aberdare District. From repeated failure and hardship to success and prosperity, He stood quite six feet in height, and was possessed with all the qualities of a leader of men. His word was his bond, and those with whom he was associated never had cause to doubt his word.

Family history

He was married in 1878 to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr and Mrs Llewellyn, Goitre, Ystradfellte. There were six children.

1. Sir David R. Llewellyn, Bart., J.P., The Court, St Fagan’s. Coal owner and exporter. Director of many companies.
2. Mrs Charles Edwards, wife of Mr Charles E. Edwards, solicitor, Cardiff.
3. Mr Walter P. Llewellyn (died 1922)
4. William M. Llewellyn, J.P. General Manger and Director of Bwllfa Colliery Co. and Director of many other companies.
5. Griffith Llewellyn, Solicitor, Merthyr, Deputy Coroner, and Director of Industrial Companies
6. Morton Howell Llewellyn b. 7th April 1890 d. 15th September 1958.

Morton Llewellyn made a gift of his family home, Fairfield in Aberdare, to the trust.

It became ‘The Aberdare Valley Educational Settlement (Coleg Gwerin Cynon, Aberdar), situated at the end of Brondeg Terrace.

The house was donated by Captain and Mrs M H Llewellyn to the King George VI Jubilee Trust, who in turn transferred it to the Welsh Branch of the National Council of Social WService for user as an adult educational settelement in the interwar period. It’s main function was for adult education.

Since closing, around 40 years ago, the house has been owned privately.

The scholarship was set up in 1937 by David Llewellyn in memory of his late father Rees.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students have to live in the Cynon Valley area from Abercwmboi - Rhigos including Penderyn.

Pupils must also achieve a minimum of 128 UCAS points at 'A' Level or B Tech equivalent and be attending  University.

The trustees meet in October of each year to consider the nominations for the grant and the successful students are awarded a discretionary grant of £200 to help with their University expenses.

The awards ceremony takes place annually, in December, at either, St John Baptist CiW High School, Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun, Aberdare Community School or Coleg y Cymoedd, Aberdare Campus. Successful students and their families are invited to attend.