Miners Lamp

Significant to the past and present residents of Neath is the often told story of a young local miner named Joeseph Henry Littlefair. Better known to his mates as Harry, Littlefair an employee at the local mine, often stopped by the Neath Hotel for cold ale before heading home. After many failed attempts to enlist in the army, on the 30th August 1915 in West Maitland, Harry Littlefair was accepted to serve abroad in the Australian Imperial Force in the First World War. Before going off to fight for King and Country, Harry Littlefair left an important piece of his mining equipment with the Neath Hotel licensee Edwin Anstey; his small tallow lamp. Harry Littlefair never returned for his lamp; he was killed in action during the Battle for Lys on 15th April 1918. Harry was just 27 years old. In honour of Harry’s memory, every year since that day on Anzac day, Harry Littlefairs’ tiny tallow lamp which has pride of place behind the bar at Neath Hotel is lit to commemorate the bravery of a young local boy who after being injured by gunfire, selflessly chose to return to the frontline to help out his ‘mates’. Harry Littlefair is legendary to the people of Neath and the celebration of his life that has taken place every year on Anzac Day at the Neath Hotel is as historically significant as the Hotel itself.

Regulars and visitors to the Neath Hotel allege to have seen or heard the ghost of Harry Littlefair walking the halls of the hotel. The current owner Michelle Walton claims Harry switches lights on and off and moves things around the hotel. Overnight guests too have apparently had occasion to experience the ghost of Harry Littlefair. It is also said of room seven that it ‘has a special calmness’. According to Mrs Walton, room seven was the original bridal suite. Though these ghostly claims can not be substantiated, these claims certainly add to the almost mystical appeal of the Neath Hotel for its local community and for its unassuming guests.