Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 25 August 1939

Obituary.

Coun. J. T. Mills

Prominent Wath Personality

Socialist of Courage and Conviction

After several months’ grave illness the death occurred during Wednesday night of Coun. Joseph Turner Mills, aged 54, of Hollowgate Road West Melton.

He was one of the town’s most outstanding public men and the news will come as a shock to his wide circle of friends.

Born at Mexborough. Coun. Mills came to Wath when he was 13. His interests at that time were mainly musical and religious, and he attached himself to Wath Parish Church where he became a member of a Church Lads’ Brigade Band. At one time he was leader of the North Yorkshire C.L.B. Band, and later, as a chorister, he took a lively part in Church life.

Musical Interests.

For five years he was organist at West Melton Congregational Church, and during his tenure of this post, in 1909, he married. At this time he ran a boot and shoe shop in Chapel Street and he began to develop the interests that were to lead him to a position where he exercised an important influence on the public affairs of the town.

He was one of the organisers of Wath Literary and Debating Society (which at one time met over his shop) and this organisation provided him with the opportunities for the study and the use of his gift for public speaking which were eventually to help him serve his class in local government with high ability.

An interruption came with the War, during which he served with the Flying Corps After the cessation of hostilities he took employment with the Wombwell Office of the Royal London Insurance Company. and was soon taking a leading part in the establishment of the local branch of the I.L.P His sympathies for the working class were strong, but he saw this was not enough, and he was at pains to develop his power of reasoning and his eloquence.

Elected To Council

Nine years ago, as the nominee of the Labour Party, he was returned to the Urban Council as the member for Winterwell Ward. As a Committeeman he was conscientious and well informed and he won the respect of his fellow members by the courage and persistence with which he clung to his minority views. He was never afraid of an open fight and the weight of opposition could not shake his faith in his own opinions. At the same time he had occasion to show that he had the courage to change his views.

He will be well remembered by the town for the course he took when agitation began over the conduct of the Urban Council’s business. The White Ribbon Party, who then had no member of the Council in their ranks, found in him a ready and able ally. He was the principal speaker at a mass meeting held at the beginning of the Party’s campaign.

Party Difference.

Shortly afterwards Coun. Mills won the general support of the local Labour Party and was made chairman, but within a few months he differed from the majority in the course of the preparations for last April’s elections and he resigned from office.

Coun. Mills did good service with Wath Gas Board, where he spoke with characteristic frankness, and only education Sub – committee. He was also some time. The Wombwell Branch of the National Amalgamated Union of life Assurance workers.

Mrs Mills can be sure of the sympathy of the Dearne district generally in a loss. She too, has played a firm part the town for the life and L to make a great deal of her husband’s public work possible.

The funeral will take place on Saturday at Wath Cemetery, following a service at Wath Parish Church at 3.45 pm.