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The man who lost both arms on his 14th birthday

Blaenau Gwent Council Billy learned to write and paint using his mouth Blaenau Gwent Council
Billy Collins learned to write and paint using his mouth

When Billy Collins went to work at Bryn Helyg brickworks on his 14th birthday, he thought it would be just another day.

But after getting caught in a machine at the site in Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, the youngster spent five weeks in hospital and lost both arms.

After the accident in 1916, he went on to perform as “Billy the Armless Wonder” having learned to do up his shirt with his toes, play piano with his nose and paint using a brush in his mouth, inspiring other men who came home disabled from World War Two.

Now a street has been named after Billy, who died in 1969 aged 67.

Signs for Ffordd Billy Collins (Billy Collins Way) behind the old steelworks in Ebbw Vale were unveiled earlier this week.

Billy's story was uncovered by Pen-y-Cwm School pupil Ciaran Mitchel-Neal during work experience with Ebbw Vale Works Museum.

In a video on YouTube, Ciaran said: “On his birthday in 1916 tragedy struck when his hand got stuck in the large machine that formed part of a mixing unit in the brick making process.

“He spent five weeks in hospital and lost both of his arms from the shoulder and had to learn how to do stuff without his arms.”

In the video, Ciaran spoke with Billy’s grandson Nigel Collins.

“One thing I would probably have liked to have seen was him doing his show,” Mr Collins said.

Blaenau Gwent Council Billy on the telephone, the picture wrinkled showing its ageBlaenau Gwent Council
On his 14th birthday, Billy had an accident that left him with with no arms

He called Billy “tremendous”.

“I remember him doing the pools (competition) with the pen in his mouth,” he said.

There was nothing he could not do, he added.

“I’ve photos of him and my mother and his nan and he was playing (piano) with his nose," Mr Collins said.

“It was really something special.”

Billy’s neighbour, Margaret Edwards, said he would clear the snow from his path using a shovel attached to his foot.

BLAENAU GWENT COUNCIL Ciaran Mitchel-Neal standing with a Ffordd Billy Collins signBLAENAU GWENT COUNCIL
A street has been named after Billy after Ciaran Mitchel-Neal uncovered his story

“He shamed us, he did, sometimes, I can tell you,” she said.

Barrie Casewell, of Ebbw Vale Work Museum, said Billy visited men with similar disabilities after World War One and World War Two.

“Many men who came back were horribly disabled but he gave them hope,” Mr Casewell said.

After the accident, Billy worked as a clerk at Ebbw Vale's steelworks.

Blaenau Gwent council cabinet member Sue Edmunds said: “May everyone who drives or walks along the road, look up Billy’s wonderful achievements and may it be an inspiration to them all.”