Paynter, Will

Thomas (William) Paynter was born 1903 at Whitchurch, Cardiff. During his life he was more commonly known as 'Will' or 'Bill' Paynter. His father was a farm labourer who later became a coal miner in the Rhondda. Will Paynter was educated at Whitchurch (Cardiff) and Porth Elementary Schools, leaving school aged 13 in order to work on a farm. He married twice, once in 1937 and again in 1943, having in total 7 children, all sons, including two sets of twins.

In 1917 Will Paynter began work at the Coedely colliery as a collier. It was in the pit that he first became interested in politics, at a time which was witnessing the growing political and trade-union consciousness of the Rhondda. After the general Strike of 1926 Will began to take full advantage of the local Workmen's Institute libraries in the Rhondda for study and he was introduced to Marxism. Will Paynter was elected Checkweigher at Cymmer Colliery in 1929.

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