James Collins Birt (1886 – 1935) was born in Lydney, the son of a railwayman. His first job was working at a bakery and then he gained employment as a signalman on the railway. He married Jessie Barron in 1913 and had three children. He became active within the NUR and by 1918 was elected to the role of Secretary. In 1918, he was appointed as agent for the Forest of Dean Labour Party and was instrumental in getting James Wignall elected as a Labour MP in December 1918. At this time, he was also elected as a County Councillor. In October 1922, he emigrated to Canada with his family.