Joseph Jones
Joseph Jones was born at St. Helens, but moved to Barnsley district as a boy and started work in the mines at an early age. In his twenties he became a local official of the miners' association at Thurcroft, near Rotherham, and a few years later was elected to the executive of the association.
A trade union leader of the old school, he devoted his leisure hours to public service in Barnsley and in wider fields. He believed that the strike weapon should be only used as a last resort and was a bitter opponent of Communism in the miners' union.
At Thurcroft he was rural councillor, urban councillor, county councillor, and a poor-law guardian.
He went to live in Barnsley in 1923 as treasurer of the Yorkshire Miners' Association, and a year later became general secretary. He entered the town council about 1928, and was alderman for a number of years and mayor.
Mr. Jones was elected president of the Miners' Federation in 1934 and became a member of the T.U.C. General Council. In 1938 he resigned the presidency and his position of secretary of the Yorkshire Miners' Association to join the Coal Commission. He had previously served on the Cotton Commission.
During his period as miners' president Mr. Jones led a campaign for an increase of two shillings a week in miners' wages. He also wrote a book. "The Coal Scuttle," in which he defended the claim and advocated fundamental reorganization of the industry.
Mr. Joseph Jones, died in hospital at Barnsley on 1st April, 1948, at the age of 57.
He left a widow, a son and six daughters.