Further papers of Dr.Thomas Jones,C.H.

These were the direct outcome of his ambition to write a Social History of Wales during the war of 1914-1918 as is evidenced by 4548, which seems to be suggestions for the plan of the work by the economist J.T.Shotwell, and 4549, a questionnaire asking for individual information about occupation, economic connections and outlook, social, political, and religious connections, intellectual standpoint, with special queries whether these severally had undergone any change as viewed from a conspectus before, during, and since the War. Twelve "individual histories" have been preserved, mainly from the Morriston-Pontardawe district, and mostly tinplaters. They are candid informing accounts, some preferring not to give their actual names. Barring the writers of 4555 nd 4559, all can be put down as supporters of the Labour Party or of the I.L.P., and those who are members of the Church of England seem to be as genuinely zealous Labourites as the Nonconformists; one or two describe the transition from the Liberal to the Labour party, and the reasons for it; several testify to their abhorrence of war, and one (4552) was so disgusted with clerics and ministers appearing as recruiting sergeants that he became an agnostic, and meant to remain as such. The Pontardawe account (4562) is particularly informing and illuminating, distinguishing between the disciples of the Ruskin and Central Labour Colleges respectively, and explaining why he (at least) distrusted W.E.A. teaching because it was run by University men who spoke the orthodox economic doctrine and wanted to uphold the old system. All this is only the political aspect of the "histories"; there is considerable information about the reaction of each at the outbreak of war, further changes during the four years, and the economic vicissitudes caused by the closing and re-opening of works, by a strike or two, by the impact of National Service Legislation, &c. There are references too, to the attitude of miners and tin-platers towards the revolution in Russia, and to the talk about a negotiated peace. 4563 is a paper contributed by Mr. J.O.Francis, the author of Change, on the part played by Wales in the National Savings Movement (1914-1918).

Another catalogue description can be found here https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/data/gb222-bmsstjon