Jim David was born in Seven Sisters in 1920, the son of a miner. After leaving school he worked at Seven Sisters Colliery. In 1946 he was elected onto the lodge committee and in 1947 became chairman of the lodge, a position which he held until the closure of the colliery in 1963. He then transferred to Dillwyn and was elected vice-chairman there and later in the same year, took over the role of chairman. Later he transferred from Dillwyn to Blaenant and served on the lodge committee. During this period he attended coalfield conferences as a lodge delegate. Jim David was elected to the National Union of Mineworkers (South Wales Area) Executive Council in 1963 and re-elected in 1965. He was a prominent member of the Communist Party, serving on the national executive council and standing as a Party candidate in local authority elections as well as three general elections. In 1957 he visited Russia as a representative of the Party.
Jim David died aged only 46, drowning in a river accident whilst visiting the Soviet Union as part of a trade union delegation.
SOURCES: 'The Miner, Sept/Oct 1966 No.5; 'The Miner' Nov/Dec 1966 No.6 - A tribute to Jim David by Trevor James.
From the guide to the Jim David (Seven Sisters), 1949-1966, (Swansea University)
