TRIBUTE TO A GREAT MAN

Major Edgar Jones—Barry’s New

Freeman

BEFORE a crowded Memorial Hall, Major Edgar Jones, O.B.E., T.D., M.A, Porth-y-Castell, Barry, described as “this gem of Welsh culture,” was on Wednesday last, made Barry’s fourth and only living Freeman of the Borough.

Among those who saw the Mayor (Councillor A. R. M. Rook) present Major Jones with the oak casket containing the scroll were members and officials of the Corporation, representatives of the many organisations with which Major Jones is connected, and past and present members of the staff of the Barry County Grammar Schools.

The Town Clerk, Mr. T. D. Howells, administered the oath and read to the meeting the scroll of admission- before Major Jones signed the Roll of Freemen. The Mayor then presented Major Jones with the scroll which was placed in a casket designed by Mr. J. Proctor, Deputy Borough Engineer made through the good offices of Dr. J. Peate by Mr. R. A. Jones, of the Welsh Folk Museum, St. Fagan’s, from a 300 years old oak beam.

Councillor T. Yeoman, proposing Major Jones’ admission to the Freedom of the Borough, said he was a person of great distinction, academically, educationally and socially.

“As a diamond with its many facets casts its brilliance in many directions, so Major Edgar Jones has also enriched by his services both civic and social aspects of Welsh life,” said Councillor Yeoman.

As well as having academics and cultural qualifications, in Wales, Major Edgar Jones had travelled widely and had studied the language and culture of many peoples.

ARDENT WELSHMAN

“Yet unlike many who forget their nationality and their language after sojourning in foreign lands Major Edgar Jones remains an ardent Welshman and proudly proclaims this in his mother tongue,” said Councillor Yeoman.

He had given much of his time to the Welsh national arts and had associated himself with the Cymrodorion Society and with the National Eisteddfod.

Councillor Yeoman listed the which Major Edgar Jones had been connected, including the courts and councils of the national museum of Wales, University College of Wales University College, Cardiff University of Wales Board of Celtic Studies, and of its art and archaeology committees, judge at many sporting events, the B.B.C. Welsh Region, and very many others.

During the 1914-18 War, said Councillor Yeoman, Major Edgar Jones had become Officer Commanding GIamorgan Fortress Royal Engineers and was awarded the O.B.E. (Military Division) and Territorial Decoration.

A MAN OF PEACE

“But he is a man of peace and has devoted much of his precious time to such causes as the United Nations Association, Welsh Area,” added Councillor Yeoman,

Council1or Yeoman spoke of the help and encouragement Major Edgar Jones had received from his wife. “He has been blessed with his charming wife, talented children, and most devoted sister, Miss Winnie Jones,” he said. “No man could possibly have carried on such a burden of work and responsibility without the sympathetic help of his family.”

Councillor Yeoman referred to the fact that Major Edgar Jones had once intended to become an architect. “It may be that architecture has lost much,” he said, “but the young men of Barry gained a greater architect, an architect of lives, careers and characters. With infinite care and patience, with a far seeing eye and a true perspective of character this great headmaster shaped and fashioned the generations of lads under his control.”

Wherever Old Barrians got together, said Councillor Yeoman, there was sure to be one topic of conversation, Barry—the ‘School’ and ‘Edgar” - the finest and greatest headmaster Wales had ever known.

ANTICIPATED 1944 ACT

Councillor S. Baldwin Edwards spoke of Major Edgar Jones association with the County School and its pupils.

“Major Edgar Jones was always a man of vision,” he said, “and during his thirty-five years as headmaster of the County School he introduced schemes which are only now being put into operation in multilateral schools under the 1944 Education Act.”

Old Barrians occupied posts of responsibility both at home and a broad and several members of the present Parliament, including Barry’s present members were former students. It was only the urgent calls of Westminster that afternoon which prevented them from attending the ceremony, said Mr. Baldwin Edwards.

Replying, Major Edgar Jones said that he was deeply moved by the singular distinction and honour conferred upon him.

“NO MEAN CITY”

“No service I have rendered would have been possible but for the help of others,” he said, and paid tribute to the work of his staff and teachers in the primary schools of Barry, who, he said, could well share in the successes of the students. “I had the most loyal staff any headmaster was ever fortunate enough to have as his colleagues,” he said.

Major Edgar Jones also praised the work of Barry’s early pioneers in education, and paid special tribute to his wife, who, he said, had always been a source on inspiration to him.

In his residence of over 50 years in Barry he had grown to love the town, he said, and could proudly say that he was “a citizen of no mean city.”

Madame Muriel Jones’ Welsh choir sang selections from the Welsh folk songs and other items