On this day in Yorkshire
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April 2, 1948
Alderman Joseph Jones, the pit boy who became the youngest man to hold the Presidency of the Miners’ Federation of Oreat Britain, died today at St Helen’s Hospital, Barnsley, aged 87.
He severed his official connection with the miners’ movement when appointed to the Coal Commission in 1938, and in 1947 accepted a post in the welfare department of the National Coal Board.
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Hide AdFor 31 years he had been a member of Barnsley Town Council. He was Mayor from 1936 to 1937, and was elected Freeman of the Borough. In 1932 he was awarded the CBE and five years later received an honorary degree at Leeds University.
Brought up the Nonconformist tradition, he was a local preacher and staunch temperance advocate. He was also a life-long enemy of Communism.
He leaves a widow, five daughters and a son, Mr J. Jones, who is clerk to Ilkley Urban Council.
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