Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1918-2019 (Creation)
Level of description
File
Extent and medium
1 box, 1 bundle.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Thomas Rhys (also known as JT or JTR) (1867-1938) was a Welsh Congregational Minister, chapel builder, fund-raiser, journalist, and private secretary to Dame Margaret Lloyd-George (1917-1922), wife of David Lloyd George (1863-1945), Prime Minister.
Born John Rees on 9th December 1867, in Llanybydder, Cardiganshire, the third son of Mary Thomas, dressmaker (1839-1922) and George Rees (1836-1903), nurseryman. Originally trained as a draper in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, and in London, JTR found his calling to the ministry and trained for the church, later being ordained as a Congregational Minister in South Wales. It was around this time he adopted the traditional Welsh spelling of Rhys and at some point added Thomas as a middle name. He then built a church in both Swansea and Pontycymer.
During the First World War and seeking to contribute more to the war effort, in 1917 he left the ministry and became Metropolitan Secretary of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society. It was during this period he worked with Viscountess Sybil Rhondda for fundraising efforts, and shortly afterward he was invited to join the staff at David Lloyd George’s No.10, thus becoming the private secretary of Mrs. Margaret Lloyd George. He subsequently became responsible for writing Mrs. Lloyd George's speeches, as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of her correspondence, itinerary, and fundraising causes.
After his tenure at No.10, JTR returned to the ministry as pastor of Twickenham Congregational Church in 1923. He remained an active journalist, temperance campaigner, and preacher on the Congregationalist circuits, writing many articles, columns, and letters. He died in London on 6th July 1938, aged 70.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Mr. Richard Rhys O'Brien (grandson of Rev. J. T. Rhys); London; Donation; June and September 2019; 99915432102419.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Copies of 22 speeches given by Dame Margaret Lloyd George (1918-1921) relating to politics, charity functions, social work for the poor and the war wounded, the opening of schools, exhibitions, bazaars, an unveiling of a war memorial, presentations of awards, and addresses to major conventions. Also contains transcribed copies of the speeches, and also contains notes by the donor (grandson of Rev J.T Rhys) providing additional contextual information (2019). A booklet titled 'Mrs. Lloyd George Goes to Lampeter: 17th June 1919, A Rhys/Rees Story in Three Parts ' (see JTR MLG SP4 Lampeter Cardiganshire Liberals 17th June 1919) written by the donor is also included; originally a supplement to an exhibition in Lampeter Museum and a prior publication 'A Lampeter Family Story 1870-1971'.
Also contains copies of four letters from Viscountess Nancy Astor, 3 of which are to Mrs Lloyd-George, and 1 to JTR. Notes regarding the information and context of the letters from the donor are included.
Each speech has been referenced as follows:
JTR MLG SP1: Free Church Council Women, Social Rescue, Bloomsbury Central Church March 1918;
JTR MLG SP2 National Federation of Women's Institutes Exhibition, Caxton Hall, November 1918;
JTR MLG SP3 Garreglwyd, Holyhead, 14th June 1919;
JTR MLG SP4 Lampeter Cardiganshire Liberals 17th June 1919;
JTR MLG SP5 Women and peace on earth, 'Liverpool Courier' article 30th June 1919;
JTR MLG SP6 Bangor, Opening of the new Hostel for the Normal College, 21 October 1919;
JTR MLG SP7 Royal Dental Hospital, Roll of Honour and Prize Giving, 5th November 1919;
JTR MLG SP8 Plymouth in support of Lady Astor, afternoon of 14th November 1919;
JTR MLG SP9 YWCA Bazaar Opening Remarks, Central Hall Westminster, 4th December 1919;
JTR MLG SP10 On Temperance, notes written by MLG at Melchet Court, early March 1920;
JTR MLG SP11 Stockport Women's groups, 25th March 1920;
JTR MLG SP12 Camberwell Women's Rally for Dr Macnamara, 26th March 1920 by-election;
JTR MLG SP13 World Women's Temperance Conference, Central Hall Westminster, April 1920;
JTR MLG SP14 Browns of Chester, 28th October 1920;
JTR MLG SP15 Llandudno Women's Liberal Association, probably early 1921;
JTR MLG SP16 Baptist Women's League, Bloomsbury Central Church, London, 27th April 1921;
JTR MLG SP17 Sunday School Bloomsbury Central Church, London, May 1921?;
JTR MLG SP18 Llanfairfechan, circa May 1921;
JTR MLG SP19 Carnarvon Boroughs, May 1921;
JTR MLG SP20 On Temperance, Purity and Religion, Welsh Presbyterians, Porthmadog, 13th June 1921;
JTR MLG SP21 Milton Mount College 23rd June 1921;
JTR MLG SP22 Liverpool, British and Foreign Bible Society, The Sun Hall, Liverpool, 29th June 1921.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions set out in information provided when applying for their Readers' Tickets, whereby the reader shall become responsible for compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 in relation to any processing by them of personal data obtained from modern records held at the Library. = Disgwylir i ddarllenwyr sydd am ddefnyddio papurau modern yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru gydymffurfio â Deddf Gwarchod Data 2018 yng nghyd-destun unrhyw brosesu ganddynt o ddata personol a gasglwyd o gofnodion modern sydd ar gadw yn y Llyfrgell. Nodir y manylion yn yr wybodaeth a roddir wrth wneud cais am Docyn Darllen.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright regulations apply.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Generated finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Copies of additional speeches by Margaret Lloyd George were received in September 2019.
Alternative identifier(s)
Alma system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Lloyd George, David, 1863-1945 (Subject)
- Lloyd George, Margaret, 1866-1941 (Subject)
- Astor, Nancy, 1879-1964 (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd ed.; AACR2; and LCSH.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
May 2023.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Description revised by Ceri Evans.