Jack Jones (Blaenclydach)

Letter containing reference for post of Checkweigher July 1934; correspondence concerning Jack Jones' decision to go to Spain to fight in the International Brigades, undated (c1938); letters sent from Spain by Jack Jones to family and friends telling of his experiences as an international brigader and as a prisoner 1938; correspondence concerning Jack Jones being reported missing (photocopy) 1938; correspondence and papers relating to the imprisonment of Jack Jones and efforts to secure his release May 1938 - January 1939 (one is a photocopy); biographical note 1969.

Jack Jones was born in Trealaw, Mid Rhondda in 1898. He passed a scholarship to Pentre Grammar School but in 1912 commenced employment in Cambrian Collieries. He was a founder member of the Communist Party in 1920. In about 1923-1924 Jack won the South Wales Miners' Federation Scholarship to the Central Labour College (London). However, in 1926 he was imprisoned in Cardiff Jail along with Lewis Jones during the Coal Strike for selling the 'Daily Worker' on private (colliery) premises and refusing to pay a fine. Following his imprisonment he was victimised for his political beliefs and was unemployed from 1927 until 1934. In that year he began employment as Checkweigher at Cross Hands Colliery.

In March of 1938 Jack Jones volunteered for the British Battalion of the International Brigade, becoming the oldest Welshman in the British Battalion. However in May of the same year he was captured by Franco forces and was taken to a concentration camp in San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos, where he remained until January 1939. He returned home to South Wales and in 1940 became Miners' Agent for the Rhondda district.

Jack Jones retired in November 1964 and died in April 1965.

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