Jack Morrish facts for kids

John Edwin Morrish (born 23 September 1915 – died 7 March 2003) was a British person who worked hard for others as a trade unionist and a politician. He spent his life helping to improve conditions for workers and making decisions for local communities.

Early Life and Union Work

John Morrish was born in London. He went to school in Hampstead. After school, he started working for the Post Office as a technical officer. This job involved looking after the equipment used for mail and communications.

While working at the Post Office, he joined the Post Office Engineering Union (POEU). A trade union is a group of workers who join together to protect their rights and improve their working conditions, like pay and safety. John Morrish was known for being very active and passionate about workers' rights. He was elected to important roles within the union, like the London District Committee.

Standing Up for Workers

In 1940, John Morrish tried to see some information he believed the union members should know about. This was against the rules, and he was asked to leave the union. However, his brother spoke up for him at a big union meeting. The next year, the union leaders decided to let him rejoin. They thought that with the war going on, everyone needed to work together.

During World War II, in 1944, John Morrish became a "Bevin Boy". This meant he was sent to work in coal mines to help with the war effort, instead of serving in the military. He worked there until the war ended.

By 1948, John Morrish was again a key figure in the London POEU. He helped organize a protest to ask for better wages, even though the union leaders didn't want him to. He continued to fight for what he believed was right for the workers.

A Leader in Public Service

Because he found it hard to make big changes in the POEU, John Morrish took a full-time job with the Civil Service Union in 1954. The Civil Service Union represents people who work for the government. He worked his way up to become the assistant general secretary, which is a very important leadership role in a union.

He stayed there until 1972. Then, he became the general secretary of the Customs and Excise Group. This union represented people who worked in customs and taxes. He helped this union join with another large union, the Society of Civil and Public Servants, making a stronger group to represent more workers.

A Career in Politics

John Morrish retired from his union work in 1976. He moved to Northamptonshire, a county in England. In 1981, he was elected as a member of the Labour Party to the Northamptonshire County Council. A county council is a local government body that makes decisions about things like education, roads, and social services in a county.

He became the council's deputy leader and also chaired its education committee. This meant he helped make important decisions about schools and learning in Northamptonshire.

Helping Schools and Students

In 1986, John Morrish moved back to London. He was elected to the Hounslow London Borough Council. A borough council is similar to a county council but for a smaller area within London. There, he became the vice-chair of its education committee, continuing his work to improve schools.

He served on the council until 1990. After that, he returned to Northamptonshire. From 1993 to 1998, he continued to help the county council's education committee as a co-opted member. This means he was invited to join because of his experience, even if he wasn't elected.

John Morrish was also very involved in training school governors. School governors are volunteers who help run schools and make sure they are doing well. In 1994, he helped create the National Governors' Council and was its first vice-chair. This council helps support school governors across the country.

Later Years

In 1998, John Morrish moved to Somerset, another county in England. He continued to represent Somerset on the National Governors' Council and also served as a governor for a local school. He passed away in 2003, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to workers' rights and education.