Reuben James (1870 – 1948) was born in Pillowell, the son of a miner. He started work in the mines at fourteen. He married Alice Charles in 1890 and went on to have six children and worked as a haulier and a hewer at Princess Royal Colliery. He soon became active in the FDMA and joined a group of miners from West Dean who opposed the existing policies of conciliation and moderation promoted by the FDMA agent George Rowlinson. He was elected President of the FDMA from February 1918 to February 1919 and then represented Princess Royal Colliery on the FDMA Executive. He was blacklisted after the 1926 Lockout but returned to work at Princess Royal in November 1936 at the age of 65. He was elected as Chairman of the Whitecroft branch of the Communist Party in 1944.
5 replies on “Reuben James”
I would be the great grandson of Rueben James and Alice James, now living in Newmarket, rear Toronto, Canada. Since 1965 with my wife Janice, I have two children and two grandchildren.
Signed 2023 .. July
Hi Colin, Thanks for getting in touch. Have you any photos of Reuben or any other information about him? Best Wishes Ian
No photos at all. I would like to know the names of the six children that are mentioned in the arrival. I know of Charles, and Thomas, but no other.
Arrival in a misquote.
https://ibb.co/yX3nZC3