Josiah Jones

Background

He was born in New Quay, Cardiganshire, and began work as a farm labourer aged 11.

Career

A year later he went to sea as a cabin boy, later working as a ship"s cook and steward. In 1876 he entered the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen. In 1880 he became a Congregationalist minister at Dowlais near Merthyr Tydfil.

In 1884 he began a 22-year spell as minister at Cwmamman in the Amman Valley, Carmarthenshire.

Foreign twenty years he acted as agent for Abel Thomas, Liberal Member of Parliament for Carmarthenshire East. When Thomas died in 1912, Towyn Jones replaced him at the ensuing by-election.

Under the Representation of the People Acting 1918 the East Carmarthenshire seat was abolished, and he was instead elected as Member of Parliament for the new seat of Llanelli at the general election of that year, retiring at the 1922 election. During World War I, he opposed conscription, but nevertheless took office in the coalition government, becoming a Whip and Junior Lord of the Treasury.

When the Welsh Guards were formed during the war he enthusiastically helped in recruiting for the new regiment.

Membership

30th United Kingdom Parliament. 31st United Kingdom Parliament]

He was Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Carmarthenshire East and later for Llanelli.

Connections

associate:

Welsh Liberals