Background
Rocyn-Jones was born in Rhymney to a notable bonesetter, Thomas Rocyn Jones and Mary Rees, who was a descendent of the preacher Rhys Davies.
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David Rocyn-Jones
Edit ProfileEducation
He was educated at Lewis School, Pengam, and later at University College, Cardiff.
Career
Rocyn-Jones gained his Bachelor of Medicine in 1897 from the University of Edinburgh and then returned to Wales to become a general practitioner in Abertillery where he also held the post of chief surgeon at the Powell Collieries and Honorary Surgeon to Abertillery Reconstruction Finance Corporation}. After passing his Department of Public Health qualification in Oxford, he was appointed the first Medical Officer for Health for Monmouthshire, responsible for ill-health prevention strategies within the county. Rocyn-Jones continued his relationship with University College, Cardiff, becoming its vice-president, and would later become involved in the creation of the University of Wales College of Medicine.
In 1920 he was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and in 1948 was knighted.
Rocyn-Jones served on many professional bodies, including the British Medical Association and Saint John Ambulance. Outside of medicine, he also had a deep love and knowledge of rugby football and in 1947 became President of the Welsh Rugby Union, taking over from Horace Lyne, holding the post until his death in 1953.
Rocyn Jones married Alla Jones in 1901. They had four sons, two of whom, Gwyn and Nathan, continued the family tradition of entering the medical profession.
In terms of religious faith Rocyn-Jones was a staunch Congregationalist, into which denomination he was ordained in addition to his medical training.
He is remembered for his beliefs, but also for having a gentle sense of humour he sometimes brought to bear on his medical work, as was shown on one occasion in his Abertillery years when he was required to treat a young rugby supporter injured by a wayward ball. "Well, boy", he is recalled as saying;" you"ve had a knock without playing"!.
