This Sweet And Bitter Earth — Alexander Cordell

The men of the North Wales slate quarries lived dangerous, unhealthy and
underpaid lives; as a boy Toby Davies joined them. The quarries taught him
precious truths about poverty and exploitation, but Toby also learned of love
from the two beautiful women in his life - Bron and Nanwen O'Hara.

Toby moved south to seek work in the coal mines, but found no easier future.
He was there at the notorious Tonypany riots of 1910 and the police occupation
of the Rhondda, and would never forget the savagery of the battles fought between
the workers and the bosses.