David Grenfell
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The Right Honourable David Rhys Grenfell CBE PC |
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| Member of Parliament for Gower |
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In office 1922–1959 |
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| Preceded by | John Williams |
| Succeeded by | Ifor Davies |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 June 1881 Penyrheol, Swansea, U.K. |
| Died | 21 November 1968 (aged 87) |
| Political party | Labour |
David Rhys Grenfell, CBE, PC (16 June 1881 – 21 November 1968), sometimes known as Dai Grenfell, was a Welsh Member of Parliament. He represented the Gower constituency for the Labour Party from 1922 to 1959.
Grenfell was born on 16 June 1881 at Penyrheol, Gorseinon, Swansea, one of ten children of William Grenfell (a native of Blaenavon, Monmouthshire) and his wife, whose name was either Alice or Ann, the daughter of William Hopkins (of Aberavon). His grandfather, John Grenfell, settled in Blaenavon where he became a coal miner, having been born in Sancreed, Cornwall.
Grenfell was educated at Penyrheol Board Elementary School until 1893, when, at the age of 12, he was forced to start working as a coal miner underground himself. While working he attended night school to study mining, geology and mathematics; and in 1903 he went to Nova Scotia, where he worked with people of various nationalities, which help foster his love of learning languages. While in Canada he passed his Under Managers Certificate; and in 1905 he returned to Britain, where he obtained First-Class Managers qualifications. Grenfell taught at a number of evening classes himself from 1907 to 1911, and was named a miners' agent in 1916 for the Western Region of the South Wales Area of the Coalminer's Federation upon the death of his predecessor, William Morgan.
In December 1905 Grenfell married Beatrice May Morgan, daughter of John and Emma Morgan of Mountain Cottage, Brynteg, Gorseinon. They had one daughter, Eileen.
Grenfell continued to work underground until 1916, when he was appointed the miners agent for the Western Region of the South Wales Area. He became active in the local Labour Party in 1916; and in 1920 he was adopted prospective candidate for the Gower constituency. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) in a by-election in 1922, and held the seat until 1959.
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