Thomas Jones, Baron Maelor facts for kids

Thomas William Jones, Lord Maelor (born February 10, 1898 – died November 18, 1984) was an important British politician from the Labour Party. He had a long career serving his country, first as a teacher and then as a Member of Parliament.

Early Life and Education

Thomas William Jones was born in a mining family. His hometown was Ponciau, a village near Wrexham in Wales. He went to Ponciau School for his early education. After school, he started working as a coal miner at Bersham Colliery, a coal mine nearby.

Later, he decided to continue his education. He attended Normal College in Bangor, Gwynedd. He studied hard and became a qualified teacher. This was a big change from working in the mines.

World War I and His Beliefs

During World War I, Thomas William Jones held strong beliefs. He was a conscientious objector. This means he believed it was wrong to fight in wars. He did not want to join the army as a combatant.

The authorities recognized his beliefs. He was allowed to serve in the army, but only in a non-combatant role. This meant he would not carry a weapon or fight. However, he faced challenges because of his conscience. He was briefly held in prison for not following certain orders. After this, he was moved to work centers.

A Career in Politics

Thomas William Jones first tried to become a politician in 1935. He ran for Parliament as a Labour candidate, but he was not successful that time. He did not give up on his dream.

In the 1951 general election, he ran again. This time, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP). He represented the area of Merionethshire. He held this important position for many years, until 1966.

After serving as an MP, he received a special honor. On June 13, 1966, he was given a life peerage. This meant he became a member of the House of Lords. He was known as Baron Maelor, named after Rhosllannerchrugog in Denbighshire.

Other Interests and Family

Beyond politics, Lord Maelor had other talents. He was a poet and loved Welsh culture. He was a member of the Gorsedd of Bards. This is a group of poets and musicians at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. The Eisteddfod is a big festival celebrating Welsh culture. He also served as President of the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

Thomas William Jones had a brother named Idwal. Idwal also became a Labour Member of Parliament. He represented the Wrexham area from 1955 to 1970.

Lord Maelor passed away on November 18, 1984, at his home in Ponciau.