This article is about the particular significance of the year 1938 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
Archbishop of Wales – Charles Green, Bishop of Bangor Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – J.J.
Events 14–19 January – A storm causes extensive damage in Aberystwyth; the promenade and pier are largely destroyed by 90 mph winds. 8 May – William Ormsby-Gore succeeds his father as Baron Harlech. October – The first scheduled night flight in the UK begins operating between Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare. 23 November – Opening of the Temple of Peace and Health in Cathays Park, Cardiff. Mining comes to an end at Dolaucothi Gold Mines. The excavation of Llantwit Major Roman Villa by V. E. Nash-Williams, begins (continues to 1948). Opening of RNAD Trecwm.
Arts and literature April – Augustus John resigns from the Royal Academy. September – Ivor Novello appears in Henry V at Drury Lane Theatre, produced by Lewis Casson.
Awards National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Cardiff) National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – Gwilym R. Jones National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown – Edgar H. Thomas National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – Elena Puw Morgan
New books In English Idris Davies – Gwalia Deserta Ness Edwards – History of the South Wales Miners Federation Richard Hughes – In Hazard Jack Jones – Bidden to the Feast Edith Picton-Turbervill – Myself When Young William Plomer (ed.) – Kilvert's Diary, 1870-1879
In Welsh Richard Bennett – Methodistiaeth Caersws Tom Beynon – Gwrid ar Orwel ym Morgannwg Edward Tegla Davies – Stori Sam Edward Morgan Humphreys – Dirgelwch Gallt Y Ffrwd Ifor Williams (ed.) – Canu Aneirin
New drama James Kitchener Davies – Susannah Charles Langbridge Morgan – The Flashing Stream Emlyn Williams – The Corn is Green
Music Tudor Davies plays the lead in the first English-language production of Verdi's Don Carlos, at Sadler's Wells.
Film Naunton Wayne appears as Caldicott in The Lady Vanishes.
Broadcasting 1 March – BBC Radio broadcasts the world première of Arwel Hughes's latest composition, Tydi a Roddaist.
Sport Empire Games Wales win three medals at the 1938 Empire Games, Denis Reardon, (middleweight boxing), Jim Alford (1 mile run) and Jeanne Greenland (110 yard backstroke). Rugby union 5 February – Scotland beat Wales 8–6 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Births 6 January – William Edwards, politician (d. 2007) 1 February – Cynog Dafis, politician 22 January – Brook Williams, actor (d. 2005) 2 March – Deddie Davies, actress (d. 2016) 20 April – Andrew Vicari, portrait painter (d. 2016) 25 April – John Davies, historian (d. 2015) 14 May – Clive Rowlands, rugby player and coach (d. 2023) 25 May – Trevor Peck, footballer (d. 2014) 31 May – John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister of the UK (d. 2024) 13 June – Gwynne Howell, bass 6 July – Tony Lewis, cricketer and commentator 23 July – Meic Stephens, literary editor (d. 2018) 6 August – Rees Davies, historian (d. 2005) 12 September Richard Booth, secondhand bookseller (d. 2019) Patrick Mower, Welsh-descended actor 9 October – Denzil Davies, politician (d. 2018) 22 October – Dai Davies , English-born Welsh sports journalist (d. 2008) 1 November – Delwyn Williams, politician 4 December – Richard Meade, equestrian (d. 2015) 15 December – Michael Bogdanov, theatre director (d. 2017 in Greece)
Deaths 3 February – James Bevan, First Wales rugby union captain, 81 9 February – Dick Hellings, Wales international rugby player, 63 30 March – Jack Elliott, Wales international rugby player, 66 16 April – Sir William Price, industrialist 8 May – George Ormsby-Gore, 3rd Baron Harlech, 83 28 May – Alfred Brice, Wales international rugby player, 66 23 June – Clement Edwards, politician, 69 22 July – Giotto Griffiths, Wales international rugby player, 73 22 October (in Dublin) – Sir John Purser Griffith, civil engineer, 90 4 November – John Thomas Job, minister, hymn-writer and poet, 71 28 November – Reginald Arthur (Reggie) Gibbs, shipowner and rugby footballer, 56 29 December (at sea) – Eluned Morgan, writer, 68 date unknown – Gwynfil Evans (Barry Western), novelist
See also 1938 in Northern Ireland
References