South Yorkshire Times, October 20th, 1951

Election: Who’s Who

Rother Valley

Mr. D. Griffiths (Lab.): Born Goldthorpe 1896, began work at Hickleton Main at 13. Has had 38 years practical mining experience. For 20 years member of Bolton and Dearne Urban Councils (chairman three times). Don Valley Guardians 1929-45 and for 20 years member of the former Wath, Swinton and District Hospital Board.

Coun. R. Hall (Con.): Born 1919, Educated James MacKinley Central School, Redcar, master painter and decorator. Pre-war territorial. Mentioned in dispatches during evacuation from Dunkirk. Prisoner of War 1942-45. First elected Redcar Borough Council 1949. Bachelor.

Dearne Valley

Rt. Hon. W. Paling (Lab.): former Postmaster-General. Began work at 13. Won mining scholarship and studied mining at Nottingham University. Former checkweighman. M.P. for Doncaster 1922-31, for Wentworth 1933-50 and for Dearne Valley since 1950. Privy Councillor. Minister of Pensions 1945-47, Postmaster-General 1947-50.

Mr. Jack Sizer (Con.): Born 1921, Educated Council Schools and Cockburn High School, Leeds. Started work at 15. Studied baking at Leeds Technical College and Leeds University. During war was Sergeant in Civil Defence. In business on his own since 19. Past president Leeds Master Bakers Association. Former chairman of West Leeds Motor Club. Bachelor.

Don Valley

Rt. Hon. T. Williams (Lab.): Born 1883, at Swinton. Worked at Barnburgh Main Colliery and became checkweighman and local union secretary in 1918. Has represented Don Valley since 1922. Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture in 1940, Privy Councillor 1941 and Minister of Agriculture since 1945. Doncaster Rovers fan.

Mr. D. Hopkins (Con.): Born 1924. Solicitor. Educated Taverham Hall, Norfolk, and Bradfield College, Berkshire. Served with King’s Royal Life Corps 1943-47. Demobilised in rank of Captain. Now serves with Yorkshire Hussars (T.A.). Unsuccessfully contested two Leeds Council seats 1951. Bachelor