Probably the most outstanding person working at Ushaw moor colliery was Jack Joyce. He was born at Spennymoor in 1892 and began work at the age of 13 in 1905 spending his whole working life at the same mine. In 1946 he was elected financial secretary of the Durham Miners Association. Being a forceful union official he represented the miners as checkweighman and compensation secretary.
From 1924 until 1945 he was a member of Lanchester and Durham Rural District Councils. Before his death in 1967 he had the pleasure of seeing his portrait painted on the last Ushaw Moor colliery banner in honour of his work for the Ushaw Moor community.
via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Jack Joyce.
I can remember my parents speaking about Jack Joyce and he was a much respected man in the Colliery villages in the Ushaw Moor area. Jack I believe lived in St. Monicas Grove on Redhills on the outskirts of Durham City later in life. His daughter Gertude married a New Brancepeth man Bob Ward and they lived in one of the bungalows near the Community Centre on the Broompark Road. I place Jack Joyce amongst the miners leaders such as Peter Lee after whom the new town of Peterlee was named. Men then were prepared to get involved in organisations affecting working class people.
ReplyDeleteLoving reading your input Uncle Brian, gives a real insight into what life was like in Ushaw Moor for our family......always fascinating!
ReplyDeleteIs Joyce Terrace, Deerness View named after Jack Joyce? (i'm new, just started reading up on things, its fascinating reading the comments being a fellow Mooranian!
ReplyDeleteHi Matt, I guess Joyce Terrace was probably named after Jack Joyce as this was v near the colliery site.
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